Welcome to the 43rd episode of our #MyEnergyLife series, a weekly feature on LinkedIn dedicated to highlighting, engaging with, and empowering emerging energy professionals across Africa. Through this ongoing series of articles, our goal is to explore the diverse career opportunities available within the energy sector while providing valuable insights and guidance to support the career aspirations of young professionals in this dynamic field.
In this episode, we meet Damola Adeyemi, a Senior Business Development Manager (West Africa) at Odyssey Energy Solutions. Damola Adeyemi shares his story of how he got started in the energy industry, detailing his initial challenges and offering invaluable advice to fellow young professionals seeking their path in this dynamic industry.
Full Name
Current Company Name
Current Job Title
Senior Business Development Manager (West Africa)
Specialization
Renewable Energy
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Tell us about your journey in the energy industry.
After earning my Bachelor’s in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, I sought out opportunities related to my course. Fortunately, I was able to get into a graduate trainee program, which opened the pathway to my journey in the energy industry. I joined a solar installation company, through which I acquired essential skills as a solar technician. This experience paved the way for a technical sales role, where I was exposed to the rigor of customer acquisition and product sales. My career trajectory immediately took flight, and in no time, I became the Sales Manager, Nigeria, for a Chinese OEM focusing on building a pipeline and developing the market. Currently, I am the Business Development Manager for Odyssey Energy Solutions, overseeing the West African region under the Procurement Solutions business unit.
What do you do in your current role at your company?
My primary objectives include pipeline development and sales of our product offerings. Additionally, I manage the delivery of programs, such as the Demand Aggregation for Renewable Technology (DART) program, which we run in partnership with All On. I am also responsible for maintaining and nurturing relationships with our key accounts and partnerships in the region.
Could you describe your typical day at work?
There is no typical day at work. As spontaneous as it gets, my day revolves around building the sales pipeline, chasing opportunities, and closing deals. This entails a lot of cold calling, writing business proposals, and attending follow-up meetings. Sometimes, I get called upon to speak on behalf of my company at conferences and seminars. As a technical person, I also provide operational support to the team.
“The enjoyable aspect of my work is the collaborative culture and the people I work with.”
What are some of the challenges you have faced in the industry?
In the industry, I’ve faced various challenges. As a salesperson selling quality solar products, one significant issue is the market being flooded with substandard products at cheaper prices. End users often opt for these cheaper options, ignoring quality. When these products perform poorly, they conclude that solar energy as a whole is unreliable due to the prevalence of faulty products.
Additionally, since most solar products are still imported, we are heavily dependent on foreign exchange. The current state of the economy has driven up prices, causing distributors to incur losses on their current stock to align with market pricing. Consequently, end users struggle to afford these products due to the price increases.
What is the most fun thing you love about your work?
What I love most about my work is relationship building. I’ve had the opportunity to develop strong networks with industry leaders.
How do you balance work and life?
To be honest, I haven’t completely figured that out yet. However, I always prioritize my family and friends. I make sure to visit my parents as often as possible and be present for my friends’ milestone achievements. Additionally, I aim to travel at least once a year to explore different cultures and learn how things work in other countries.
What are the core skills someone in your field should have?
Honestly, I’ve gained valuable hard and soft skills by working closely with management teams at various startups. This has allowed me to develop strong decision-making and analytical thinking skills. Each startup had its unique approach to business, exposing me to a diverse set of learning opportunities. Therefore, I feel I’m not the best person to answer this question definitively; I’m running on pure experience.
What is the best thing about your work?
The enjoyable aspect of my work is the collaborative culture and the people I work with. It’s always a team effort, and there’s always someone available to assist or consult with whenever I need help.
What would you consider a highlight of your career?
The highlight of my career would be my first solo major sales import. It was a surreal and memorable achievement that marked a significant milestone for me. Additionally, realizing the extensive network of relationships and contacts I’ve built in the industry was another highlight. This hit me when I attended a conference and spent the day connecting with about 60-70% of the attendees. It gave me a profound sense of accomplishment, a true ‘I don make am‘ moment.
“For someone new to the industry, I would advise being open-minded and exploring each value chain, including both the private and public sectors.”
What are you passionate about outside of work?
Outside of work, I believe in finding activities that make money, maintain health, and keep the mind creative. My job fulfills the financial aspect, and I’m passionate about maintaining my health. I take morning walks, plan to resume my gym sessions, play flag football (a non-contact version of American football), and try to eat as healthily as possible.
I’m still exploring ways to keep my mind creative. I’ve always been interested in photography, but haven’t fully pursued it yet. Additionally, I’m passionate about giving back to the less privileged and am considering ways to contribute more effectively and in an organized way to this cause.
How do you think that your work makes a difference in the energy space?
Currently, the product offerings I am spearheading in Nigeria address the pain points of solar companies that regularly import solar equipment for commercial and industrial (C&I), utility-scale, and mini-grid projects. These pain points include equipment procurement and working capital constraints. Our aim is to alleviate these issues for developers, ensuring successful and timely project delivery to their off-takers.
What advice do you have for someone new to the industry?
For someone new to the industry, I would advise being open-minded and exploring each value chain, including both the private and public sectors. Building a strong technical background is crucial, as it will be beneficial in sales. Cultivate relationships within the industry, as our community is still tightly knit, making this the ideal time to join. Attend regional conferences to stay updated on new technologies and trends. Most importantly, be bold and don’t be afraid to explore.
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See you in the next article!
