November - January / February 2010 | ASTD Global Network South Africa

GREETINGS FOR 2010

Let’s look to 2010 as a year that will make history for S.A. and let’s capitalise on the positive rub-on effect the world cup will have on our country’s economy, infra structure, nation building, job opportunities and creation as well as our own business opportunity. An economist once said that economic boom is in the heads of people. If they see the light and expect the best, that’s what we will get. Let’s not be hung by the tongue. What you say or utter is what you get in life. Nobody was better at defining and helping companies capture opportunities than Peter Drucker. He loved the phrase “Tomorrow is an opportunity”. He believed that the most important measure of a person, a company and that of a country is the ability to anticipate and invest in tomorrow’s opportunity.

Innovation has to be central in all our thinking. If you don’t understand innovation you don’t understand the business. True innovation means that you have to change customers’ expectations. Innovation is about shaking loose from yesterday’s world so that we gain the freedom to create tomorrow. Without the will to take risks, to venture into the unknown and let go of the familiar past, a corporation cannot thrive in the 21st century.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” - Peter Drucker.

Upcoming events - Diarise...

11 - 13 Feb 2010	World HR Congress in Mumbai. Theme: The new HR Calling: Innovative Talent Strategies for Tough Times. View more information.
20 - 21 April 2010	USB presents "The Crucial Role of Good Governance" in Cape Town. Read more.
10 May 2010	Tour departs to ASTD Conference Chicago and Benchmarking visit to IMD and Nestle in Switzerland, IBM New York.
10 - 12 May 2010	Global Learning Academy Conference in Johannesburg. Read more.

ASTD South Africa's Annual International Conference & Exhibition
Date:	24 - 26 March 2010
Venue:	Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg
The theme is “Growing Competent Leaders for Africa” - Featuring over 30 speakers with 9 internationals from Germany, USA., Venezuela, Switzerland, Netherlands and Brazil. Visit www.astd.co.za or www.sbs.co.za/astd for the exciting programme. Accommodation is filling up fast. Contact Natalie from SBS urgently on 021 914 888 for special conference accommodation rates.

Leadership Lessons from Warren Buffet

Warren Buffet is probably one of the world’s most successful and richest entrepreneurs. He was a millionaire at the age of 30. He wasn’t known for his interpersonal skills. He actually felt that he was socially maladjusted, but here are a few straws he has left us to cling onto.

Criticism puts people on the defensive and makes them strive to justify themselves. It is dangerous, because it wounds people’s precious pride, hurts their sense of importance, and arouses resentment. People want honest and sincere appreciation.
Flattery is insincere and selfish. Appreciation is sincere and comes from the heart.
The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
If you are wrong admit it quickly and emphatically.
Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
Give the person a fine reputation to live up to.
Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly. Let the other person save face.
Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy where others are fearful.

Einstein once said ”Remember your humanity and forget the rest”.
Newton: “I have seen a little more of the world than others, because I stand on the shoulders of giants”.

10 New Year's Resolutions for Learning Professionals

Resolution 10 -
Resolution 9 -
Resolution 8 -
Resolution 7 -
Resolution 6 -
Resolution 5 -
Resolution 4 -
Resolution 3 -
Resolution 2 -
Resolution 1 -

I will be sensitive to the Learner’s needs
I will make learning fun and relevant
I will talk less and involve more
I will put the learner’s needs above mine
I will not be the hero or smart Alec
I will master my technology
I will reflect and reinforce better
I will be ethical at all times
I will provide more quality rather than quantity
I will quit when I no longer enjoy what I am doing.

State of the Training and HRD Industry (Report available soon)

Each year ASTD provides local practioners in HRD/HR with an annual State of the Industry Report, with the assistance of dedicated researchers at UNISA, UJ and others. If you are looking for good benchmarking info, the 2009 report will be available soon and can be purchased for R513.00 for ASTD members from Juanita at juanitapro@mweb.co.za. Valuable info and trends on: Training spend,
Training Needs, Performance Management, ROI Evaluation & measurement, E-Learning, Talent Management, Mentoring & Coaching, HRD Practices, Knowledge Management etc. are featured in this report.

Research reports of this nature normally sells for over R2000.00. We are the only country outside the USA and Brazil, who capture ongoing trends in our Industry on an annual basis. Thanks to all researchers for their dedication.

ASTD CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION

Growing Competent Leaders for Africa: 24 - 26 March 2010, Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg

Due to the enormous economic and developmental challenges facing our Leaders to-day, ASTD South Africa, has put together an outstanding programme to assist managers/leaders to hone and grow their leadership competencies, and to fine tune the positive role model required to deliver growth and value for our future. To achieve this we have invited 33 outstanding speakers to address our 2010 annual Conference at Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg.

Nine International experts from as far the USA, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Venezuela, Switzerland and Australia will share some emerging insights. Key plenary speakers include: Prof. Andre Roux from The Institute of Future Research, Prof. Nick Binedell from GIBS, Dr. Marc van der Erwe from Belgium, Fernando Sanchez from Venezuela, Pat McLagan from USA, Annita Thomas from USA, Steven Filby from Australia, Diederick Stoel from The Netherlands, Alfredo Castro from Brazil and Dr. Hischam El-Agamy from IMD, Switzerland.

Date: 24 - 26th March 2010 (Pre-conference workshops and Golf tournament run the afternoon of 23rd March)
Venue: Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg.
Programme: See www.sbs.co.za/astd
Accommodation: Deadline for preferential accommodation through Natalie from SBS closes 22 January
Golf: Competition starts 12:00 on the 23rd. This is one of the top 10 golf courses in the country and the most picturesque.
Exhibitors are encouraged to participate at this prestigious event with great networking opportunities.

2010 Benchmark/Study Tour to Switzerland, USA & ASTD Chicago Conference: 10 - 19 May 2010

This is a once in a life time opportunity to reward exemplar performers to travel with us on our annual tour to the ASTD International Conference (over 200 speakers with a global audience of over 10,000 delegates . On route this year we visit IMD and Nestle in Switzerland, and IBM in New York. See www.astd.co.za for itinerary. Booking close end of February. Please contact Robin on 082 894 6932 to reserve a seat.

Expect and ensure that 2010 will be the best ever.
Robin Probart, President, ASTD Global Networks SA

Robin Probart	Mobile: 082 894 6932 I Email: robin@astd.co.za
Juanita Probart	Mobile: 083 629 8292 I Email: juanita@astd.co.za

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