Godwin Usifo

As a highly-regarded professional business analyst, Godwin Chukwuka Usifo spends his workdays compiling and interpreting data for ServiceNow, a firm headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada that oversees a cloud-based workflow automation platform. The mission of ServiceNow is to provide easy, automated solutions to repetitive and non-creative work tasks so that companies can turn the efforts of their human employees to pursuits more worthy of their time.

Concurrent with his role as a business analyst, Godwin also runs a consulting firm, Gochus Educational Consultancy (www.gochus.com), dedicated to recruiting youth from around the world to enroll in Mohawk College, one of the premiere post-secondary schools in his home town of Hamilton.

Godwin Chukwuka Usifo studied the discipline of Project Management in school, and worked in this field for most of his career after moving to Canada. Previous to that, he was a community instructor, teaching individuals the proper way to use accounting software. He also took a position as a senior accountant in North York, Ontario for a time.

Outside of work, Godwin Chukwuka Usifo spends a good deal of his time and energy supporting the local chapter of his house of worship, Church of the Living God, which is the Canadian affiliate of God’s Kingdom Society (GKS). Presently, Godwin is the Chairman of the church’s Administrative Committee, which is a role he cheerfully embraces. Recently, he has received the prestigious GKS Laity Award in recognition for all of his efforts.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I’ve always been good with numbers, which gave me the proper foundation for my career in business. I’ve also always enjoyed consuming information and making insights, so becoming a business analyst seemed like a logical career choice. When I was pursuing my education, I chose to study the discipline of Project Management, as well as Finance, and Commerce because I had a good idea that might open a few doors for me. Luckily, it seems I made a correct assumption in that respect. Anyhow, all of that eventually led to my current position with ServiceNow, which I enjoy immensely.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My typical workday includes a number of tasks, including data compilation, data analysis, research, and communicating with clients and colleagues in person and via phone calls and emails. There’s also an element of project management to my job, and that manifests itself primarily through resource and staff allocation, as well as the intangible qualities of leadership.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I think ideas are most effectively brought to life through good faith collaboration with a team of talented and well-informed people.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The overarching trend that ServiceNow deals with is the automation of menial, time-consuming tasks. The company has developed an incredible platform for addressing this, and I find the whole prospect very exciting. Imagine a world in which corporate employees don’t have to waste time performing tasks that can easily be taken care of by computer programs, and then imagine all the millions of hours that will be spared annually because of that. Automation saves valuable time.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Where productivity is concerned, I’ve always been taught that many advantages can be gained just by taking proper care of oneself. With that in mind, I make sure to eat well and get enough rest each night. I also exercise regularly and do my best to tend to my mental health through my faith.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I suppose that if I could have a conversation with my younger self, I would say the following: “Pay closer attention to your studies. I know that you’re getting good grades, but I also know that you spend a certain amount of time daydreaming in class. Daydreaming is fine, but reserve it for after class and after all your homework is done. Otherwise, you might miss some important information.”

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I prefer Canadian football to American football. I think that opinion is in the minority. I especially enjoy watching my hometown team, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. I think they’ll win the championship—which we call the Grey Cup—in the 2023 season. Much of the rest of Canada might be at odds with that opinion.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

My consulting firm, Gochus Educational Consultancy, exists to aid international students with realizing their dream of pursuing their post-secondary studies in Canada. Basically, we help kids apply to college and assist them with all manner of bureaucratic affairs connected with going to school here. One thing I’ve learned after accumulating a good deal of experience doing this is to triple-check important documents. When it comes to matters like visa applications, passports, testimonials, and school transcripts, one can never be too careful.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

My most successful strategy so far has been to work hard and produce desirable results for my clients.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

There have been a few international students who I had high hopes for whose cases just didn’t pan out. These kids had tremendous potential, but for any one of a number reasons, in the end, they couldn’t attend college here. With one or two, there were problems with their documents that couldn’t be reconciled. With others, their family didn’t want them to leave their home country. It’s such a shame, but I’ve overcome these unfortunate situations by working even harder on helping the next batch of students, as well as accepting that no one has a record of 100% success in any endeavor.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

While I don’t have a specific business in mind, I will say that automation is the wave of the future in the corporate world. Savvy entrepreneurs would do well to consider starting a business based around that undeniable fact.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I recently donated about $100 to a worthy cause sponsored by my church. I believe giving to charity is among the best ways to spend money because it eases suffering and makes the world a better place.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I’m afraid this might be a bit of a boring answer, but I would have to say spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel. I honestly couldn’t perform my role as a business analyst without it.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I would recommend a title called The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John C. Maxwell. This book contains many insights that are useful for anyone who finds themselves in a leadership role—corporate or otherwise.

What is your favorite quote?

“If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” — Jesus Christ

Key Learnings:

• Automation of menial tasks is the wave of the future in the corporate sphere.
• Productivity is best achieved through maintaining healthy habits, such as eating well and exercising.
• Donating to worthy charities is among the most noble uses for money.