2010. October 10. Diamond Bank called me in.
They didn’t like that I’d written a book on the side. “Bridges to the Customer’s Heart.” Something I did in my own time. Something I wasn’t paid to do.
So they let me go. I was ashamed. But felt no guilt.
I was a back-office guy. A trainer. A credit analyst. Invisible. Good at my job but invisible. And now I was out.
But here’s what happened next.
That book – the one they fired me for – opened doors I didn’t know existed.
By 2011, I was keynoting at ISN Medical. By 2013, I was presenting to NESTOIL’s leadership.
By 2015, I launched Book Writing Clinic. Four hundred fifty people trained. Forty-five authors created. Eight figures in revenue.
By 2020, I launched Internet Business Mastery Course. Four hundred fifty trained. Eight figures in fees.
Meanwhile, in 2019, Diamond Bank ceased to exist. Hundreds of my former colleagues had to figure out what to do next.
The Pattern I See
I’d earlier written Credit Appraisal & Procedure Manual – the book that landed me in Nigeria’s commercial epicenter, Lagos, and Diamond Bank in the first place.
I’ve written seven books since 2009.
Each one opened a different door. To Fortune Global 500 companies. To Nigeria’s largest corporations. To opportunities I never chased. To founders and C-Suite executives that readily became friends and mentors.
Here’s what I’ve learned: your IP is your real asset.
Not your job title. Not your paycheck. Not your years of service.
Your books. Your ideas. Your intellectual property. That’s what travels with you. That’s what builds your future.
Now Look at This
In 2025, Mark Zuckerberg paid Andrew Tulloch $1.5 billion to join Meta.
Andrew had founded Thinking Machines Lab. A startup valued at $12 billion. Before they’d even released a product.
A year later, in 2026, Meta announced 6,000 layoffs. Each person got 16 weeks severance.
Think about that.
You can be worth billions to a company one day. Expendable the next.
The Truth Nobody Wants to Hear
As an employee, you’re your company’s most valuable asset until you’re not.
Companies will always do what’s best for them. Always.
So here’s the question: what are you doing that’s in YOUR best interest?
Because while you’re grinding away in that 9-to-5, your real competition isn’t other employees.
It’s people building their own IP. Writing their own books. Creating their own doors.
I know what I’d choose if I were starting over.
WHAT BUSINESS LEADERS AND PROFESSIONALS SAID ABOUT BRIDGES BACK IN 2009
‘’…it’s the best business book written by a Nigerian bar none’’. (SUCCESS DIGEST EXTRA)
‘’It has to be one of the best books I have read and overall the most succinct on customer service in Nigeria.’’
CHIOMA NWAGBOSO, The World Bank Group
‘’… a wonderful book! I’m deeply impressed with the live illustrated experiences and the ‘hands on’ approach.’’
EMMANUEL EKUNNO, Executive Director, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc.
‘’Paul Uduk in my opinion, is one of Nigeria’s most authentic experiential writers – tackling such a major business problem with a rare combination of tact, humour and professionalism. Bridges to the Customer’s Heart helps readers shift their focus from what can’t be done to what can be done. It reminds us of our potential as opposed to our limitations. I recommend it unreservedly.’’
RICHIE DAYO JOHNSON (RDJ), Founder, Richmond Johnson Academy
‘’The book is amazingly amazing!’’
PEARL CHUKWU, Banking Operations Unit, Akin Adesola Branch, Ecobank Plc
‘’A colleague of mine saw my copy and has requested for his own. Maybe you should send two copies just in case.’’
OBEHI A. OKOSUN, Credit Analyst (Specialized Lending Dept), First Bank of Nigeria
‘’I just came across your book and you know what…AM WAOWED!!!!! Well researched and straight to the point. Paul in your book, you thought locally and acted globally. A must read for all that believe in great things’’
Kanny Eni-Ikeh, Business Banking, Diamond Bank Plc.
‘’Great book!’’
CHINONYE OBI, Team Leader, D-Tap Kiddies, Ikeja Branch, Diamond Bank Plc
‘’The lessons from this great book have not only opened my eyes to enormous benefits and opportunities enshrined in effective customer relationship, but have also given me the secret needed to succeed in all facets of life, business, career, family etc.’ Bridges to the Customer’s Heart is more than a book, it is a ‘road Map to achieving success in life’.’’
YOMI ADENSON, Manager, Management Accounts, Promasidor Nigeria Limited
‘’I must confess that the book you wrote is a masterpiece. When I first glanced at it my mind went to the American inspirational writers. As an apostle of service excellence, I will read the book till the last page.’’
MUNTARI ZUBAIRU, Public Sector, Abuja, Diamond Bank Plc.
‘’Bridges is a handy, timely literary intervention for business success, with a view to entrenching global perspective. Practical, simple and objective.’’
I. O. BELLO (Mrs.), Head Human Capital, PCD Associates
‘’WAO! WAO!! WAO!!! I just could not believe it. Wonderful, beautiful. This book of yours will definitely make a whole lot of difference in marketing and retaining customers in any business.’’
JOHN CHUKU, Business Manager, Warri, DB Plc
‘’I got the bridges, it is a must read for everybody in this life that wants to succeed in whichever field he/she is in. I’ve made up my mind to use it as a training tool for my colleagues in the office. It’s simply beautiful. Thanks so much for finding the time to put this together for the benefit of us all!’’
OLUBUNMI AWODIPE, Business Manager, Diamond Bank Plc.
‘’It is a truly great accomplishment – truly deserving of praise!’’
CHIGOZIEM ONYENEKE, Regional Coordinator (Lagos/West), Diamond Bank
‘’Couldn’t resist, in fact, I had to jump to the last chapter to read the conclusion. Worth every minute!’’
AMY IYK-ASADU, Business Manager, Port Harcourt
‘’The book is a masterpiece!’’
EZE OHAJUNWA, RMO, South & East, Risk Mgt. Div., DB Plc
‘’Bridges is a solid blend of theory and practice, humour and wisdom. Anyone who reads Bridges won’t give bad service anymore’’
MARTIN UDOGIE, Publisher BottomLINE Newsletter
‘’The book is a veritable training manual for individuals, groups and organizations keenly interested in serving the customer passionately while in the process enhancing their bottomline.’’
JUDE ANYIGBO, President, Fireforte Services Limited
‘’An excellent book – diversely relevant; it brings to the fore many of the service delivery issues encountered in everyday dealings and also proffers practical advice on how to improve our interpersonal relationships. Consequently, it is a must read for my client facing colleagues.’’
WALE FATOKI, CEO TSL Limited
‘’Many businesses are searching frantically to find the magic formula to win the customer’s heart. Bridges to the Customer’s Heart provides the magic formula or if you please, the “how to” win the customer’s heart. In a single word, Bridges to the Customer’s Heart is a “necessity” for every business.’’
INAM WILSON ESQ., Partner, Templars Law Firm
‘’Bridges to the Customer’s Heart is simply a practical handbook for all irrespective of your profession or the job you are doing; be you a school teacher, pastor, usher in the church, banker, lawyer, groundnut seller or market woman. Full of practical tips on everyday experience on how to keep your valuable customers and make new ones. Should be on every workers desk for ease of reference.’’
OKECHUKWU OHAMBELE, Procurement Specialist, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited
‘’Brilliant book, replete with practical ways towards having a share of customer’s mind and an enhanced customer’s experience.’’
NKEM OKORO, Banker and Marketing Practitioner
“Relevant, engaging, easy to read, full of anecdotes / real-life examples of strategies and success stories. Bridges to the Customer’s Heart is truly a step-by-step guide to understanding how to engage customers towards delivering exceptional services that meet their needs. A must for the survival toolkit of every organization desirous of reaching maximum customer satisfaction and, ultimately, profitability.
TOKUNBO CHIEDU (Mrs.), CEO, Compass Consulting UK Ltd.
‘’Every service provider should strive to operate [with] the principles outlined in this book. You need to wow your clients if you must survive in today’s competitive market.’’
PROF. ATIM ANTAI, Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Services, University of Calabar
‘’I loved the book and it is still on my desk.’’
CINDY NOVOTNY, CHSE, CEO, Master Connection Associates, Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Ready to write your own book?
Join BWC BOOK WRITERS CLUB (THE CLUB) even if you’re not a BWC member.
Here’s the link: https://forms.gle/3fJCkubD27bxaPH1A
