YOUR EVERYDAY SMARTBIZ NATION LIFE

Working together as a team is at the centre of what we do: in the way we communicate, show each other respect and always search for better ways to delight our customers.

At SmartBiz Nation we have daily short ‘stand-up’ meetings to share ideas and updates. This keeps communication and ideas flowing. Everyone at SmartBiz Nation from the top-down sits in our open office and are available to chat with, ask questions or share ideas with at any time. And, every Funnel Rocker has something important. to say - Don't be shy.

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Fresh coffee and a variety of drinks are provided daily to ensure you're wide awake and ready to go.

And for an energy burst in the afternoon, we encourage taking a walk away from your desks for lunch or bringing your own lunch to work.

Meals are eating away from the work desk/station, but in the common area to give us all some informal time to have fun and get to know each other.

We hope you will live your life and do your work with the SmartBiz Nation Values in your heart and mind.

Workspace

We provide you a comfortable and ergonomic work space, a pleasant office and fun Funnel Rockerz to work with. If there’s anything we can add to make your workspace happy and healthy, be sure to let us know. Stuffed animals, toys and cartoon characters are always welcome at SmartBiz Nation.

Daily Dress Code

Dresscode

SmartBiz Nation's policy is that you must wear something! What you wear is up to you. Use good judgement, wear what’s appropriate for work, something comfortable for you and expresses your unique style and personality. It’s OK to let the real you shine at SmartBiz Nation.

Monday: Business Casual

Tuesday: Business Casual

Wednesday: Casual - using our Logo Tshirt

Thursday: Casual - using our Logo Tshirt

Friday: Native

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For Client Meetings: Business Professional

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT SMARTBIZ NATION

At SmartBiz Nation, we are a fully virtual marketing company, meaning that we work with clients all around the world, clients that we've never met physically, and we only get to meet and connect via Zoom meetings, or email communications.

It's important to note that, clients who pay for our services take a big risks, why? because they have never met us (and may never meet us) and that's risky... but we work hard every day to ensure that they don't regret signing up to us, and that we keep their trust for as long as possible, and keep our reputation intact.

So please keep that in mind, and you must ensure that you keep a close eye on your and our reputation, for the sake of the company.

OUR STORY

Where We Came From

We've been around for about 5 years now and have been lucky enough to grow every year. Here's a quick breakdown of our history.

Lucie transitioned from employee to entrepreneur

January 2013

Lucie started My Smart Biz & Me Blog (a personal blog) to share her entrepreneurship story

March 2014

The blog was changed to a business blog called: SmartBiz Nation

July 2015

Lucie launched iWebStudio a web design and marketing firm

August 2015

iWebStudio was shutdown

July 2016

SmartBiz Nation was rebranded as a web design and marketing agency  

October 2019

SmartBiz Nation became a Full-Funnel and Virtual Marketing Assistant Agency with 6 Employees

January 2020

Today.

Growing faster and stronger than ever.

OUR BELIEFS

At SmartBiz Nation we believe that there's always a way out and a way forward. We do not stop until we find the way.

WHAT WE DO

We create winning digital marketing strategies, high-converting sales funnels, paid ads, and sales copy. We also manage emails, social media accounts and online presence and reputation.

WHO WE DO IT FOR

For brands that are tired of playing small, and want to cut through the noise to connect with their buyers immediately and those who are simply too busy to do it themselves.

 OUR MISSION 

To help businesses and personal brands build reliable systems that instantly connects their product or service offers with the right buyers online, doubling their sales and profits, giving them a competitive edge.

 OUR VALUES 

At SmartBiz Nation, our customers and colleagues are extremely important to us, and we go all the way to help our people achieve their goals.

We win together + We serve + We plan + We execute + We keep learning and improving. We Are #TheRideorDieAgency. 

 OUR VISION 

To become the go-to funnel marketing agency and virtual marketing assistants for start-ups, SMEs, and personal brands in Africa and the rest of the world. To build and own a platform that serves businesses and brands across the globe.

YOUR TIMELINE

Getting Started At SmartBiz Nation

 YOUR FIRST DAY 

You've gone through our interview process, you've signed the contracts, and you're finally here at SmartBiz Nation. Congratulations, and welcome!

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SmartBiz Nation has an incredibly unique way of doing things that will make this the greatest professional experience of your life, but it can take some getting used to.

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Don't be nervous you will be a Funnel Rocker in a time. Our HR team with your mentor will lay out all the guidelines in your orientation session.

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Ask all the questions, that's what everyone else did.

 YOUR 91st DAY 

On this day, you are almost ready to be a real Funnel Rocker.

You've come to the end of your probabtion, it’s time for your Performance and 360 Review. You will need to evaluate yourself with your Manager, while your team will provide feedback on how they think you've done so far.

It’s a gift from them to you, to help you improve yourself and to encourage you to keep doing what you have already done well.

And that’s not all! From this day forward, you can submit and reimburse any benefits.

 YOUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 

Congratulations for sticking with us for an entire year! We are so excited to be celebrating this milestone with you. At this point, you are able to choose a benefit package that fits in with your lifestyle. You also qualify for salary review and increase. There is more information about this in the ‘Benefits’ section later on.

 YOUR FIRST WEEK 

One of your most important duties your first week is absorbing everything. Getting to know your company's culture, the working and communication styles of your teammates, the problem projects, and department or company-wide goals means that you'll be able to start your real work sooner (and be more effective when you do).

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Be a SPONGE. Learn everything you can, as your first week will make or break your entire experience with us.

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Don't Overcommit Yourself.

Ask Questions

​Don't Be Afraid to Speak Up

 YOUR 6th MONTH 

You will undergo a review every six months. The SmartBiz Nation system is one of continuous improvement so things are always getting better both for yourself, the team and our clients..

SETTLING IN

Managing Your Time, In And Out Of The Office

WORKING DAYS

Our 'common' hours are 9am to about 5pm, with an hour taken for lunch at your preference time, but between the hours of 12pm - 2pm. 

There may be times when you are required to work outside these hours. Overtime payments are not paid unless specified in an individual employment agreement. Your working hours may vary from time to time by mutual agreement.

SICK DAYS

Please inform your team and HR as soon as you can and have some rest. But make sure you register your sick day on our HR software, so we know what's happened. More details are below.

VACATION & HOLIDAY

Please inform your team and HR in advance before leaving on vacation. Please always infor your manager so that they can keep the team informed and make sure that your work is covered.

HONESTY THE BEST POLCY

Like many things at SmartBiz Nation, with flexibility comes responsibility. We don’t expect you to punch in and out of a time clock; we trust your judgement and expect you to do the right thing.

But it’s important that you communicate with your manager and team so that people can count on you and understand your schedule.

REMOTE WORKING

We believe that teams work best when they work together. It improves communication and learning for everyone. However, we live in time and age where remote working has become the norm, and this is agreed on a case-by-case basis and requires approval from your manager and HR. When remote working is permitted it will be for a fixed period of time, at the end of which the employee is expected to return to the regular job and workplace.

JOINING SMARTBIZ NATION

 The Paperwork & Systems

NON DISCLOSURE & CONFIDENTIALITY

We expect all employees to respect SmartBiz Nation's and our customer's confidential information both while you're working at SmartBiz Nation and after you leave. Your Employee Contract includes your agreement and consent with our Non-Disclosure & Confidentiality Agreement: 

https://www.smartbiznations.com/nda/.

TECHNOLOGY

We provide all the technology you need at SmartBiz Nation. Depending on your job role, we’ll make sure you have the applications and software you need to execute your job.

WHEN YOU NEED HELP

thesbnteam@smartbiznations.com - HR questions, payroll, benefits
itsupport@smartbiznations.com - help with your computer and network

ESSENTIAL FORMS TO COMPLETE

• Application form and personal documents

• Bank account details

• Completed SSO form

• Emergency information form

• Declaration agreeing to employment terms and conditions

• Work Permit & Visa - if you’re an expat (non-Nigerian) the HR team will provide you with the necessary forms and paper work.

SmartBiz Nation has a strict no piracy policy. This means that all software, stock photos, creative assets and applications must be properly and legally licensed. If you’re not sure, or have a specialized software requirement, just ask your manager or the IT team for help. We want you to have the best tools to do your job, and we want to be a good, law abiding member of the business community.

HOUSE KEEPING RULES

• 9 am is 9 am

• Don’t bring in any other device

• No external flash drives

• No Downloads (Video or Audio)

• Our device is strictly for work

• No gambling, no pornography or personal social media with our devices

• No bribes and kickbacks

• No contact with clients beyond your job description

• No smoking, no substance abuse at work premises.

COMPENSATION

SALARY AND WAGES

The salary we’ve agreed with you is outlined in your employment agreement (contract) and should be regarded as confidential. You should not disclose your salary or wages to anyone within The Company other than your immediate manager.

Full details of the breakdown of your salary or wage payment will be shown on your payslip which will be given to you on, or just after, payday.

Your salary or wages are accrued throughout the month and paid on the last day of the month into your nominated bank account. If the day before the end of the month is on a weekend or holiday, the money will be transferred to your account on the Friday, or the day before the holiday, whichever is applicable.

SALARY REVIEW PROCESS

Your salary or wage will be reviewed every 6 months and adjusted in line with your performance. The salary review process will take into account your performance in your role, market rates for your role and the Company’s ability to pay. Reviews will not necessarily lead to an increase.

BENEFITS: OVERVIEW

The Company provides a complete package of benefits to all eligible full‐time employees. The following outline of available benefits is provided with the understanding that benefit plans may change from time to time, and the provider plan descriptions or contracts are to be considered the final word on the terms and conditions of the employee benefits provided by The Company.

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​In the event of any inconsistencies between this handbook or any other oral or written description of benefits and a formal plan document, the formal plan document will govern.

BENEFITS: SICK LEAVE AND VACATION

SICK LEAVE

In the event of illnes or incapacity for work, employees is entitled to continued payment of 50% for a maximum period of 2 weeks. However, this period will only start after 2 waiting days, and with a signed doctor's report.

VACATION

Ten days vacation (pro-rated amount) will be awarded to employees who have worked with The Company for less than one year. Employees who have worked here for over one year will be qualified to choose a new package, either 10 or 15 days. Five vacation days can be carried over to the following year.

BENEFITS: LEARNING & HAVING FUN

LEARNING

SmartBiz Nation provides an allowance for employees to courses that will help them implement their roles effectively. The amount is pro-rated based on time worked. This yearly budget needs to be used by the end of each year and it cannot be carried over to the following year year.

ENTERTAINMENT AND RELAXATION

• Free coffee, drinks and snacks are provided in the office every day.

• We serve free food and drinks at general company meetings and parties, which happens once a month.

• Game rooms and board games are provided for your enjoyment ​.

ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS & BENEFIT PLANS

In your first year of service, employees are awarded ten (10) vacation days, or a pro-rated amount.

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Eligible employees who been full-time employees for one full year will be awarded special benefit packages by The Company. The special benefits include..

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• Performance bonus

• Payment or reimbursement of professional membership fees

• Conference registration (including transportation and lodging)

• Training or development courses

• Working from home

• Promotion opportunity

• Yearly salary reviews.