Janet Temitope Adetu is a certified corporate etiquette and brand analyst as well as a professional image and international protocol consultant. The founder of JSK Etiquette Consortium, a thriving business etiquette, behavourial change and professional image enhancement firm, talks about her profession and how she juggles this with her marriage in this interview with QISMAT YINUS. Excerpts:

What exactly do you do at JSK Etiquette Consortium?

JSK Etiquette Consortium is a Corporate Etiquette, Professional Image and International Protocol Consultancy. We help corporate organisations leverage their human capital through personal and professional image projection, branding, impression management and leadership. Our objective is for our clients to experience essential behavioural changes and an enhanced image that will set them apart, and give them the competitive advantage, which we call at JSK, the Panache Advantage. We offer our services to corporate organisations, diplomats, professionals, entrepreneurs, individuals and youths. Our services will provide excellent operational leadership and innovative solutions that enable organisations and small to medium enterprises achieve their overall medium and long term goals.

What were the challenges you faced while setting up this company?

Interestingly, JSK Etiquette Consortium originally had its headoffice in Nairobis Kenyas during its first three years, but today has relocated to Lagos. I cannot really say I experienced major challenges during the start as since I deal with intellectual property. The only thing I can say I experienced was the difference in how etiquette and protocol is received in Kenya as opposed to Nigeria. It is still relatively foreign in Nigeria as there are different schools of thought as to the relevance and importance of etiquette today. My hope and desire is that more professionals begin to appreciate that with the economic challenges the world is facing today, there is a clear need to be exceptional. There is a need to reposition to outclass competition in order to survive the multi-competitive environment.

Can you share some of your major achievements as an entrepreneur?

Well every day is an experience I am very grateful for. I hold on to one philosophy in life which is to keep learning so I can add value to the life of another. So far, I am happy to be the author of a book “Etiquette Strategies for Everyday living,” and have produced an audio CD “The Dynamics of Etiquette Success.”

I am also grateful to be recognised to be keynote speaker at various conferences, seminars and workshops. I am also delighted to be a radio host on “Etiquette with Janet” touching

lives every day. I am open to new opportunities as they come my way.

What does it take to run an etiquette consortium like yours?

I believe that my passion for what I do is my driving force. I enjoy disseminating knowledge; as such I do it effortlessly. No doubt, it entails so much hard work, requiring dedication, determination and discipline to succeed, like any other business. You also need a sense of style, grace, elegance, business acumen and patience.

Where do you see your company in the next five years?

The future is bright. We take each day as it comes. Our missionis is to be the most desired Etiquette Consultancy in Africa. Where there is a need, we aim to help individuals and corporate organisations transit and transform; with God all things are possible.

Your line of profession is relatively new in this part of the world, what is the reception like here in Nigeria?

As I mentioned earlier, yes indeed etiquette or protocol is quite foreign in our environment to the extent that our culture does not imbibe certain behaviours though we are changing constantly. Having said that, there are many Nigerians quite exposed, and to a large degree, widely travelled. Some have had the privilege to acquire decorum and knowledge along the way, and so are quite aligned and tuned into what is necessary and so on. Etiquette has always existed from the days of our grandparents; we just did not take it into consideration, instead it was taken very much for granted.

Every day, we experience a new Nigeria, constantly changing, flexible and running with the same state of the art technology as seen around the world today. This is a field that may still appear intangible on the surface, but if you look deeper, it has high investment value.

Our youths are also oblivious and keep wondering why they are not progressing in life, and cannot get by a simple interview. It just goes to show that it is not just about your technical skills anymore as I mentioned earlier.

Are you working on any major project at the moment?

We will be conducting protocol training for young professionals in May titled: “Executive Finesse for Young Professionals” – A Behavioural Change and Image Enhancement Programme. The programme is open to young professionals seeking to climb the ladder further, graduates seeking good jobs, management trainees and entrepreneurs. We will release more registration details soon. A lot more is coming soon regarding skills acquisition, leadership training and decorum. We also offer both group and one on one private coaching, psychometric testing and emotional intelligence assessments.

How do you juggle your busy schedule with marriage?

Juggling work with the home front is not always easy, but it takes a lot of understanding, and the will to be successful. Today, my kids are grown fortunately, and I have a bit more time to myself to get organised. However, I still need to look after my home, uphold the best standards for healthy and hygienic living. I ensure that I am aware of what goes on in and around my home, among my domestic staff, as well as in my kitchen. Time management helps me structure my day and execute my duties effectively.

Tell us about your educational and family background?

My educational background started in the United Kingdom where I was born and raised. Today, I am grateful to hold a B.Sc (Hons) in Economics with an MBA from Edinburgh Scotland. I am also a Certified Chartered Accountant, a fellow with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) UK. My Protocol certification is with five prestigious etiquette training practices.

I am an alumnus of the Protocol School of Washington; above all, I am a Certified Brand Analysts, a Corporate Image Consultant, and an NLP Practitioner.

I am one of four children, we grew up under the strict discipline of our parents in the UK. I have been married for over 24 years to my wonderful husband who is my role model. He is a great mentor and advisor who encourages me to aim for the best. We have three wonderful children whom I refer to as my inspiration and my best critique. My family knows very well that I enjoy all sorts of salads. I am a passionate collector of orchids which are exotic flowers. I also enjoy writing and taking pictures. Above all, I love to advocate for children born with Congenital Heart Disorder (CHD). These are children born with a hole in the heart. I once ran a non- profit charity that was responsible for raising awareness and the funds for the life- saving open heart surgery of almost 60 children aged 2 – 16 years. My dream is to reactivate this charity beyond the original shores and save more lives. With God all things are possible.