Dealing with Top Talent – sometimes you need to use a heavy hand!
A few months ago, Keith Coats wrote about his disappointment at Ryk Neethling, the South Africa swimming superstar, and his lack of respect for the etiquette and rules of competition when competing in an event in Durban (read his post here). Now the other 3 members of...
Phenomenonal, You
I write a regular column for the Intelligence magazine in South Africa. Its the Back Page column, and is meant to be fun, irreverent, interesting. (I have secret ambitions to emulate the back page of the Fortune magazine). I thought you might be interested in a recent...
Second Life? Get a First Life first…
If you don't know what Second Life is, check it out here first. Its an online, virtual reality game that has created a completely online world. You select a character, buy into the game, and start "living" a life in the game. You can run a shop, be an explorer, run...
Mount Grace Country House and Spa: how NOT to manage a management change
One of our family's favourite luxury holiday destinations has been Mount Grace. My father was a friend of the founder, and so I have known about this hotel literally since attending its opening many years ago. Before our youngest child came, Mount Grace Easter...
So just how important is the planet?
It doesn't matter what your stand is on the planet and our relationship with it, there's no denying that 2006/7 has seen a dramatic shift in people's exposure and interest in what we're doing to this planet called Earth. The New York Times featured this article about...
So just how important is the planet?
It doesn't matter what your stand is on the planet and our relationship with it, there's no denying that 2006/7 has seen a dramatic shift in people's exposure and interest in what we're doing to this planet called Earth. The New York Times featured this article about...
The Luxury Touch
In Strategy+Business, recently, there was a great article on "The Luxury Touch" by by Robert Reppa and Evan Hirsh. They suggest four things that luxury brands have to consistently get right in order to differentiate themselves from the also rans: "Although there’s...
Campaigning on the Internet
This report from The Economist, 15 March 2007 (may need subscription): Of slips and video clips Candidates for 2008 are racing to master a new medium DURING the presidential campaign of 1800, partisans harnessed high-speed technology to spread their message. Like...
What’s changed in advertising – Shelly Lazarus speaks
As the most powerful woman in advertising, and one of the most powerful business women in the world, Shelly Lazarus, CEO of Ogilvy & Mather, is someone to listen to. Recently, in a variety of different interviews, she reflected on her 35 years in the industry. Her...
Role of the Media
I heard a comment on the Daily Show a while back (I think they were reviewing 'Time Magazine's Person of the Year'). Something about main-stream media turning its back on its responsibility and hence the rise of citizen media in the form of blogs and podcasts,...
Sawubona (Zulu greeting: “I see you are not my enemy”)
I have been black for as long as I can remember, yet it would seem of late with the introduction of technology, education and westernised worldview, that reality is consistently being challenged. I grew up in Soweto with the values of the struggle being continually...
Yes, it will cost more
I spend much of my time helping companies to create corporate cultures that will attract and retain talented young people. This involves looking at everything from terms and conditions of employment, remuneration policies and bonus schemes, to office layout, use of...
Leading the Whatever Generation – the “Bright Young Things”
Leadership in today's world is not easy. I suspect it has never 'been easy' but with the contemporary levels of complexity, connectedness and ubiquitous change these are indeed unique times in which to live and lead. The twin challenges that leaders face, that of...
Leading the Whatever Generation – the "Bright Young Things"
Leadership in today's world is not easy. I suspect it has never 'been easy' but with the contemporary levels of complexity, connectedness and ubiquitous change these are indeed unique times in which to live and lead. The twin challenges that leaders face, that of...
Leading the Whatever Generation – the “Bright Young Things”
Leadership in today's world is not easy. I suspect it has never 'been easy' but with the contemporary levels of complexity, connectedness and ubiquitous change these are indeed unique times in which to live and lead. The twin challenges that leaders face, that of...
They drive me crazy!
Boomers (in their 40s and 50s) and Xers (in their 20s and 30s) have very different communication styles and needs. In the workplace, they can drive each other crazy. Barrie Bramley provides some excellent insights into why this communication gap exists, and gives some...
They drive me crazy!
Boomers (in their 40s and 50s) and Xers (in their 20s and 30s) have very different communication styles and needs. In the workplace, they can drive each other crazy. Barrie Bramley provides some excellent insights into why this communication gap exists, and gives some...
Whining, Moaning, and Achieving: Dealing with frustrated talent in the workplace
In sessions that we conduct on Talent management with both those who lead talent and those who are considered talent everything goes brilliantly until the end of the day when we ask: "So, what are you going to do now?" At this point there is generally a throwing up of...
Assessing Wisdom Continuity within your Organisation
Recognised experts in any field often rely on nothing more than a hunch. Time (and hard work by others) typically proves them to be right. Where does that innate gut instinct come from? Can you learn it? Can it be transferred? These are questions that get Aiden Choles...
Assessing Wisdom Continuity within your Organisation
Recognised experts in any field often rely on nothing more than a hunch. Time (and hard work by others) typically proves them to be right. Where does that innate gut instinct come from? Can you learn it? Can it be transferred? These are questions that get Aiden Choles...