With over ten years of experience in management consulting, business development, and operations, Bukonla Adebakin, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Intense Group, has established herself as a key player in driving organizational efficiency and sustainable growth.
Her expertise in fostering cross-functional collaboration and streamlining operations has been instrumental in positioning the company for long-term success.
Adebakin’s previous roles further highlight her capacity for driving impact. While at RED, she led a 70% year-on-year growth, and at The Future Project, she successfully raised over $780,000 for youth initiatives across Africa, showcasing her aptitude for strategic growth and relationship-building.
In a recent interview, Adebakin shared her insights on leading operational change, talent retention, securing funding, and overcoming challenges in cross-functional teams.
When asked about how she inspires teams to accept operational changes that may seem threatening, Adebakin stressed the importance of clear communication.
“One key factor that has worked for me is communicating the ‘Why’ and framing the change in a way that is both relevant to the company and the employees.
“I work to build trust between management and the team by involving them throughout the process, making sure the goal is clear, and addressing any grey areas that arise.
“In addition, I engage influencers within departments. These are outgoing team members with the ability to influence change, and their colleagues would normally listen to them. I ask them to champion the change so that they can have a positive influence on the team”.
Adebakin revealed that her strategy for managing talent retention during restructuring is grounded in transparent communication. By ensuring that every team member understands the purpose and impact of changes, she mitigates any uncertainties that could negatively affect organizational culture. She noted that this approach ensures that employees remain engaged and aligned with the company’s goals.
Speaking on her efforts to bridge the gap between Nigerian and UK corporate ecosystems, Adebakin emphasized the need for adaptable procedures. She noted that by applying global frameworks and localizing their implementation, she created purpose-fit Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that facilitate collaboration between cross-border teams. Regular updates to these procedures according to her ensures that they stay aligned with industry trends and best practices.
Achieving Exceptional Growth at RED Adebakin’s leadership at RED led to impressive results, including a 70% year-on-year growth and a 70% staff retention rate. She linked each department’s objectives to the company’s overarching goals through the use of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), ensuring that employees were empowered to take ownership of their work and receive the recognition they deserved.
Managing Cross-Cultural Teams
In managing cross-functional teams across different cultures and geographies, Adebakin identified communication barriers and conflict resolution as key challenges. To address these, she revealed that she implemented standardized communication protocols and created SOPs to reduce ambiguity. She noted that celebrating diversity and encouraging team members to share
cultural perspectives has also improved mutual understanding and team collaboration.
Securing Funding for Impact-Driven Programs
Adebakin’s success in securing over $780,000 for The Future Project was driven by her ability to align the organization’s mission with impact-driven programs. By forging strategic relationships and ensuring that projects could be tracked and verified, she was able to attract both new and repeat funding for initiatives aimed at youth development across Africa.
Sustaining Relationships with Funders and Sponsors
Maintaining strong relationships with funders is a key part of Adebakin’s approach. She built trust by ensuring transparency and accountability in every program while delivering value.
Regular reporting and clear communication helped sustain long-term support from sponsors and funders such as the Ford Foundation and Microsoft YouthSpark.
Ensuring Client Satisfaction
Adebakin highlights the importance of understanding client expectations and allocating the right resources to meet them. By using realistic project management tools and maintaining open communication, she ensured that deliverables met clients’ specifications and deadlines.
With a 90% favorable client feedback rate, Adebakin continues to prioritize customer happiness as a core element of her organizational strategy.
Thriving Across Roles and Industries
Adebakin attributes her success in various roles—spanning management consulting, operations, and business development—to her adaptability, agility, and ability to leverage cross-disciplinary skills. Her results-driven approach emphasizes the importance of investing in both people and processes to ensure long-term success.
Bukonla Adebakin’s leadership is a testament to the impact that strategic communication, operational efficiency, and a focus on talent development can have on business growth. She remains committed to making a difference in both the corporate and social sectors.
