ASTD Global Network SA is the official South African global network partner of the International American Society for Training and Development. To date there are only 24 other global networks worldwide. Our aim is to assist the Training and Development/H.R. profession in South Africa to identify and promote awareness of best International Practices, research information on local and international trends and provide opportunities for benchmarking and networking. For more details please visit our website.
|
|
Upcoming Events - Diarise...
|
| ASTD International Conference |
| Date: |
31 May - 3 June |
| Venue: |
Washington, USA |
| The group leaves on 28th May. View the itinerary. |
| |
Feedback on the latest thinking and HRD developments fresh from
the ASTD International Conference held in Washington D.C USA |
| Sessions run from 9:30 -13:30. More info next month. |
| Pretoria: |
28 July (Centurion) |
| Johannesburg: |
29 July (Midrand) |
| Cape Town: |
22 August (Bellville) |
| |
|
| How to conduct a “Legotla” in your Organisation - network session |
| Date: |
17 September |
| Venue: |
Johannesburg |
| |
|
|
|
|
Key learnings from the 5th ASTD Local International Conference held at the Cape Sun, April 2009
The 2009 conference was a winner with over 200 delegates attending and supported by an array of great local and 8 international experts. Robin set the scene on Leadership in tough Times:
- 'In tough times leaders accelerate effort within economic depths because the barriers to entry are low'. A reminder from Richard Branson that fortunes can be made in a recession.
- Strengthen your common purpose, values and shared vision by respecting others, stop blame assigning, bring opposites together like OBAMA has done and ask what can I contribute instead of being a parasite.
- Become a Possibility/Opportunity Seeker instead of an Obstacle pursuer by through kaleidoscope thinking, (out of the box) adapting to change and focussing on the flowers instead of the weeds.
- 'Stop selling what you have and start selling what they need’. This allows us to create more value for customers and our organisations and provide outstanding service. We need to be the show case.
- Adopt a 'Lekgotla' type of leadership by exhibiting good listening skills, eliminate fear, protect your brand and values and protect your team and your clients.
|
|
Extracts from our opening address by Clem Sunter who spoke on the World and SA in the 2010’s
|
The rules of the South African Game for us as to embrace the characteristics of a “winning nation” are:
- A good quality of education at all levels to compete in the knowledge-intensive global game.
- A strong work ethic and spirit of entrepreneurship.
- A higher rate of savings to grow the domestic economy - Savings equals investment.
- Adequate infrastructure to support a high growth economy.
- Being an export oriented global player, supplying goods and services to foreign markets that they cannot get elsewhere.
- A dual–logic economy which features a symbolic relationship between a world class big business sector and a thriving small business sector.
- A competitive personal and company tax rate to discourage people moving to other countries.
- An attractive environment for foreign and direct investments and a crime free environment.
- Efficient government with good service delivery, law and order, macro economic management and a health care system that provides for a universally healthy nation. Read more.
|
|
Extracts from Raymond Ackerman’s presentation entitled “Golden Nuggets in Leadership Practice”
|
- If you fight the consumer she will fight you.
- Don’t maximise profits. Maximise consume sovereignty.
- Rich people love low prices, poor people need them.
- Business is 90% guts and 10% capital.
- Doing good to others is good business sense.
- Never stop innovating and learning about your profession.
- Find out what people customers want.
- Manage and lead with integrity.
- Foster respect for all individuals.
- Practices should change but not principles.
- Care for your society.
|
|
|
Is South Africa improving it’s competitiveness in the world today?
According to the latest IMD World Competitive Yearbook ranking, our country has moved up from 53 to 48 th position. Annually there are 57 countries assessed using 329 different criteria, rating economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infra structure. We have improved our business efficiency to 30th position, but still are low on unemployment. Our cost of living is still one of the best in the world but social security still too low. Our biggest challenge is sustainable employment, growth in expanding training applications, debt reduction, growth and investment and improved productivity.
|
|
Are you a partner in providing dismal service?
According to Tom Peters in his book The Pursuit of WOW, he reminds us that we lose 70% or our customers , not because of price or product issues, but because they did not like the human side of doing business with the provider of the product or service. Research from the Forum company confirms the fact that 45% of these same customers said that they switched to another company because the attention they received was poor in quality. WOW service is a commitment to serve the customer fully and that commitment must be imprinted in the hearts and minds of every employee. Only then can we stand apart from the competition. In 2010 we are about to become the show piece of Africa. Are you able to help us achieve this? “Never ever walk past or neglect to do something about shoddy service, ever again.”
|
|
Good things,
Robin Probart, President, ASTD Global Networks SA |
|
|
|
