After spending over a year immersed in Dubai’s property market, a major deal falling through prompted Noah Honawon to return to Nigeria. Upon his arrival, he shifted his professional focus towards enhancing digital financial services, aiming to revolutionize the financial industry through innovative technology.
In this After Hours profile, we delve into Noah’s journey from real estate to technology-driven financial solutions, spotlighting his creative strategies for upgrading financial systems and his influential role as a consultant in enterprise technology.
Decoding Enterprise Technology Sales
Enterprise technology sales focus on helping organizations-especially banks and financial institutions-modernize their workflows by adopting digital innovations. My responsibility lies in pinpointing influential decision-makers who stand to gain from our technology and steering them through the transition from manual to automated financial operations.
Consider the once cumbersome process of opening a bank account: it required visiting a branch, filling out forms, submitting photos, and verifying identity in person. Today, fintech pioneers like OPay have transformed this by enabling fully digital account openings, removing the need for physical branch visits. This shift from traditional to digital banking perfectly encapsulates our core mission.
At Turog Technologies, we create solutions that assist banks in attracting and retaining customers, streamlining data management, and enhancing operational efficiency. Our platforms also facilitate agency banking by providing the essential digital infrastructure.
From user-friendly interfaces to robust core banking systems, we empower financial institutions to fully embrace digital transformation. My role is to introduce and advocate for these cutting-edge technologies.
Mastering Technology Product Sales
My approach to sales starts with building genuine connections, whether at industry gatherings or through platforms like LinkedIn. I focus on gaining a deep understanding of the client’s business model, target market, and pain points.
Frequently, clients disclose that they juggle several disconnected software tools for customer management, communication, and reporting, which hampers efficiency. I propose integrated solutions that unify these functions into a single, intuitive platform, enabling smooth handling of everything from client engagement to internal workflows.
Furthermore, I evaluate their growth ambitions. For companies planning regional expansion or adopting agency banking, I offer POS terminals and customized digital payment platforms tailored to their brand identity.
Ultimately, my mission is to identify client needs-whether they come with a specific product in mind or a broader challenge-and collaborate to craft the most effective technological solution.
From Property Markets to Tech Sales
My real estate journey began in 2020, quickly rising to assistant branch manager in Dubai within a year. However, after a critical deal fell apart, affecting branch performance, I returned to Nigeria.
Back home, I briefly paused before joining a Lagos-based real estate firm in early 2023. Despite a tough market, I closed deals that revived several stalled projects. I eventually left due to delayed commission payments, and a subsequent role did not meet my expectations, leading to a hiatus from August 2024 to May 2025.
Although I had the skills to start my own real estate agency, I lacked the capital and network to scale effectively.
Technology had always fascinated me, even during my time at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where I initially focused on social media management, digital marketing, and content creation rather than direct sales. I continue to leverage these digital marketing skills as a side business.
When the opportunity arose to join a tech firm as a sales executive, it felt like the perfect fit-combining my passion for technology with my sales background. This position has provided practical experience beyond theoretical knowledge.
Technology sales comes with unique challenges: it requires strategic insight, patience, and flexibility, but the rewards are significant.
Contrasting Real Estate and Technology Sales
Switching from real estate to technology product sales has been enlightening. Selling itself isn’t inherently easy or difficult; it depends largely on the client and the transaction’s complexity.
In real estate, my clients were mostly individuals or couples, and deals could close relatively quickly. In contrast, enterprise tech sales involve engaging entire organizations.
The decision-making process is more complex: a product might first attract the IT director’s attention, then require CFO approval, and finally need board consent. This longer cycle involves multiple presentations, demos, negotiations, and sign-offs, sharpening my communication and strategic planning abilities.
Additionally, I’ve acquired extensive industry knowledge. Just months ago, terms like “open banking,” “core banking system,” and “retail engine” were unfamiliar. Now, I confidently discuss these topics with clients and often share my learning journey on LinkedIn to establish credibility.
Keys to Thriving in Tech Sales
Transitioning from business-to-consumer (B2C) to business-to-business (B2B) sales demands a shift in mindset and tactics.
I didn’t receive formal training when entering tech sales; instead, I committed to self-learning. I subscribe to newsletters like Techpoint Digest, attend industry events, and follow thought leaders on social media.
When faced with complex subjects, I use tools such as ChatGPT to break them down. My colleagues also supported me by participating in client meetings until I gained confidence to lead technical discussions solo.
Would I return to real estate? Not as a sales agent. If I reengage with the sector, it would be as an investor. For now, I embrace the challenges and growth opportunities that tech sales presents. I’ve connected with inspiring professionals, gained invaluable insights, and developed skills I never anticipated needing.
Tech sales is demanding but immensely fulfilling, constantly pushing me to grow. Success in this arena requires dedication, and I am fully committed to this path.