Twelve Endangered Businesses and Professions

Back in the day, several kinds of businesses and professions were the in thing. They were lucrative hence highly sought by people. Mostly due to modern technology many of them died naturally a long time ago while some are gradually fizzling-out.  Below are some of the professions and businesses affected by this wind of change.

Dry-cleaning/ Laundry

This business which suddenly became very popular and rewarding from the 1990s saw the establishment of several Dry-cleaning outfits; both indigenous and foreign. 

Initially the business enjoyed elitist patronage.  But today the story is different. Many homes now have portable and affordable washing machines.

Secretary

Gone are the days every top corporate executive position come a secretary. These days, especially with the invention of the personal computer and its different applications, everyone does his or her office work without secretaries and confidential secretaries.

Hence in contemporary Nigeria more and more corporate bodies include computer literacy as major prerequisite for employment, as it also reduces recurrent expenditure.

Corporate driver

Just like the secretary, the number of drivers employed by companies seems to be reducing in recent time. As a cost cutting measure certain job applicants are required to have valid driver’s license before employment. This is commonplace in FMCG and service oriented organizations.

Bank Cashier

Modern day Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made it very possible for bank customers to access cash anytime of the day and from anywhere through the Automated Teller Machines (ATM). Some banks have launched the use of similar machine to receive cash from customers.  

These transactions have also been facilitated by the internet (e-Banking). Hence, soon the era of employing paying and receiving cashiers is drawing to an end.

Recharge card vending

This is one business that thrived from the early 2000 when GSM came into Nigeria. Again, modern technology is threatening its existence. The banks are already value added services to customer in this area.

Almost everyone with one form of bank account or another can now obtain phone airtime through the banks. It’s as simple as ABC. This is done via the internet, ATMs, or by dialing codes and requested amount on the phone. With these facilities who wants to take the stress of coming out to locate a card vendor to make purchase?

Business Centre

I know you will agree with me that business centers are almost totally dead. Like many businesses, they used to be very lucrative those days. Here, you get your stuffs typed, printed, photocopied, scanned and laminated.

Jobs ranging from projects, term papers, ID cards, questionnaires, and so on are prepared here.

Today, due to the affordability of the personal computer, printer, scanner and copiers, one often do these work on his own at home or at the office and at one’s own pace.

Travel Agents

Travel Agency is another business that thrived in the past and still thriving (depending on creativity).

These days, one doesn’t need to contact the travel agent before booking and paying for flights within or outside the country. Many thanks to the internet.

 A lot of airlines have seized the internet opportunities to key into e-Ticketing and e-Payment system.  This makes it easier and faster for customers to access availability, book and pay for flights anywhere. To remain relevant and in business, travel agents are now being creative. Many of them, in addition to the above functions also organize and package tours and holidays. They just have to look for a way.

Retail Businesses

Traditional Retail sector is one aspect of business that is gradually fading away in contemporary Nigeria.

From household items to fashion, electronics, computers, phones, even food; everything seems to be leaving the traditional setting to the online search-online order-mobile-home delivery-pay on delivery model.

Here, all one need do is order online, get item delivered to you wherever you and you pay on delivery. It sounds so convenient.

 It is convenient!

Print media

The prints media is one worse hit sector. Apart from some sporting and celebrity publications, patronage of the prints is on the decline. Again the internet plays a major role here. A lot of people, especially the youth read newspapers online from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Not many offices subscribe to newspapers these days. The few that do need to look out for advertorials, especially those requesting proposals for contract and other government businesses.

The unemployed, who hitherto relied on the newspapers publications for job advertisement, are now more familiar with and visit several career and job websites that attend to their needs.

Newspaper Vendors

Just as the prints media, the newspaper vendors are also endangered. People now read news from the internet; both local and international news hence, making the business of selling newspapers unattractive.

Cyber Café

Owning and running a Cyber Café in the early 2000 was very lucrative as everyone had one thing or the other to do on the internet. They are sending email messages, chatting and making friends via Yahoo or MSN Messengers, researching on project topics and so on.

All these took place before the introduction of smart phones and androids to the Nigerian market. These days almost everyone with a smart phone doesn’t need a cyber café; and these phones come in different brands. They are quite affordable!

Photographers

These set of professionals are having a difficult time getting businesses these days as everyone seem interesting in carrying-out photography jobs themselves. Everyone is now a photographer!

The availability of camera in most cell phones makes things easier for user but worsen things for the photographers. All the owner need do is to acquire an equally affordable card printer QED.

The wise photographer that wants to remain relevant has to move with the time.

Incorporate video coverage and editing for a start.