The Fincra Insider invites you into the incredible culture at Fincra, our people and how we work. Meet our people in our Tribe Spotlight series, where they discuss the experiences of working at Fincra, their career aspirations and their challenges
Bolanle: Pushing through hurdles with a can-do attitude.
Bolanle’s career has taken quite a surprising turn since she graduated with a degree in Counsellor education. Today, Bolanle is a vital member of the Settlement and Finance team at Fincra, and her contributions bring the organization one step closer to fulfilling its vision.
Bolanle is a legacy Tribe member; she was one of the first few people to join the team.
“Fincra’s got my back” she says.
Join us as we take a deep dive into her journey so far at Fincra.
Can you tell us more about your role and your background?
I’m a Settlement and Finance associate at Fincra. My journey into finance has been quite an interesting one.
I studied Counselor Education at the University of Ilorin; it had nothing to do with numbers, calculations, or even excel. After I graduated, I worked briefly in a bank; right after that, my journey with Fincra started.
What do you like the most about working at Fincra?
I love the fact that there is autonomy, there is a sense of responsibility where you can own what you’re doing and are given a chance to take charge, and there is ample room for creativity; you can own an initiative from start to finish and go about your work, in the best possible way you deem fit, as long as you’re meeting deadlines and delivering results. There’s also a lot of room for growth and learning here.
“At Fincra, you are given a chance to take charge and there is ample room for creativity
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about solving problems, especially the ones that have to do with payment and the movement of money. That’s why I love what we’re doing at Fincra, and I’m aligned with our vision and mission. It pains me to see how disconnected Africa has become from the rest of the world over the years when it comes to payments, and that’s one of the reasons I joined Fincra – to help fix these problems.
“It pains me to see how disconnected Africa has become from the rest of the world over the years when it comes to payments, and that’s one of the reasons I joined Fincra – to help fix these problems
What skill do you think everyone should learn/have?
I think everyone should learn to listen; it’s an underrated skill that few people have. I used to think I was a good listener, but I found that sometimes, I was just “listening” to respond or make a counter-argument. When solving people’s problems, listening is an essential skill.
Do the people closest to you understand what you do?
They understand the company’s vision because I have taken the time to explain this to them, and they believe my work is legit. They don’t understand all the nitty gritty, but they have a general overview of what I do and my contributions to Fincra and are proud of me.
What part of your job do you love the most? What excites you?
I think it would be positive feedback from customers and colleagues with regard to solving difficult problems. The joy and the thrill of doing seemingly impossible things make me excited. It’s not easy; I don’t usually search for difficult problems to solve; they just happen sometimes, and I think it’s my responsibility to solve them. Making people’s lives easier, one little contribution at a time, is really what gets me going.
What has been your most significant achievement since you started?
I think it would be the relationships I have made throughout my stay here, my colleagues trust me, and I do not take this for granted. It doesn’t come by easily, but I’ve gained their trust over the past few years. I wouldn’t trade the relationships I’ve made here for anything.
How would you describe your work ethic?
I approach my work with a “We die there” attitude, especially in the beginning when we were fewer than we currently are. I just want to be able to get things done and see results.
Tell us about the most significant project you’ve worked on and how it impacted Fincra.
There are quite a number of significant projects that I’ve worked on, but I think the one that stands out the most is the one that had to do with expanding our collection base. It required talking to foreigners and creating relationships with people with a bias already. It was pretty tasking, but we were able to do it. It was truly a defining moment for me.
How does your current job compare with previous jobs you’ve had?
I think it would be the caring environment we have at Fincra. I always used to keep to myself at other jobs I had, but when I got here, I felt genuine love from everyone, and I was very surprised. Also, Fincra listens to employees; as simple as that is, it’s not very common. Management is always checking the pulse of the organization, and I know they have my back. This makes me want to go all out for Fincra. Fincra’s got me, and I’ve got Fincra too.
Which core value resonates with you the most?
Customer obsession is the core value that resonates with me the most. Solving the problems of our customers and putting ourselves in their shoes is very important to the work that we do, because if we’re being honest, without them, we wouldn’t be in business.
Who inspires you the most within Fincra?
The first person that comes to mind is Wole. He has the ability to stay calm during a storm, as it were. Our industry is a very volatile one, and so many challenges can come up at any given time, but he just knows how to stay grounded and not allow those challenges to shift his focus. I think that’s pretty admirable. I aspire to be like that one day.
Uzo also inspires me; she has a thirst for knowledge I’ve never seen before. She has also gone through all spheres of the organization and has become an all-rounder. I really admire that about her.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Well, I see myself in a managerial position in my field, one where I develop more strategies that will significantly benefit my team.
What fun stuff do you get up to when you’re not working?
I like to watch movies, unwind at home, and sleep 😂
On weekends, my partner and I go to galleries, or we’ll just do movies at the cinema.
You can check out all the cool work Bolanle does at Fincra by creating a free account in less than 5 minutes.
“Fincra listens to employees; as simple as that is, it’s not very common. Management is always checking the pulse of the organization, and I know they have my back
