Salem Kalmoni, Group Chief Executive Officer of Japan Motors Network, outlined his "Six Bs of Business Success" on Joy FM’s Personality Profile with Lexis Bill on Thursday, November 5. The veteran business owner, who joined the family firm in 1991 after studies in Canada, said the principles stem from repeated challenges and "bitter experience" in running a Ghana‑based trading and automotive enterprise.
Kalmoni’s six rules, arranged in order of importance, are: banish bad debt, banish dead stock, buy well and sell easy, be frugal, be best of friends with suppliers, and choose good brands. He warned that many entrepreneurs focus on achievements while neglecting the sacrifices and difficulties that precede success.
The first rule, banish bad debt, stresses careful credit management to protect a company’s financial position. Banish dead stock highlights the cost of holding unsold inventory, which ties up capital that could fund operations or new opportunities. Buy well and sell easy encourages sound purchasing decisions that affect resale ease and profitability.
Kalmoni’s fourth principle calls for disciplined spending and prudent use of resources. He also urged firms to cultivate strong relationships with suppliers, describing such ties as essential to business continuity. The final rule, choose good brands, reminds owners that the products and brands they represent shape reputation and customer loyalty.
Kalmoni traced the family business back to 1920, when his grandfather founded Kalmoni & Sons, later expanding into vehicle imports with the first Japanese‑made Datsun in 1958. Japan Motors Trading Company emerged in 1962 and became a limited liability company in 1965. The current CEO’s experience in the family enterprise, rather than theory, underpins the six principles.
He noted that a detailed explanation of each rule would require a full masterclass, but offered the concise summary as a practical guide for entrepreneurs seeking sustainable growth.
Business owners in Ghana and across West Africa will likely look to Kalmoni’s advice as they navigate the challenges of managing debt, inventory, supplier relations and brand strategy in a competitive market.
