Well the journey continues , and the truth is the economy is different now. The success we enjoyed years back with less efforts is now quickly disappearing in our eyes. The greatest organizations and people know that the only to prepare for the future is to anticipate change and create strategies and systems which will be able to keep you afloat in tougher times.
High performing organizations through the years have evolved in their spaces based on the following ways in which they ensured their success and growth. below i will share 3 only within a plethora of other many ways in which they grew their business.
Quality Circles:
These we introduced as ways in which people in an organization could appreciate the value chain and also assist in creating better ways of doing things, by saving costs, improving production without hampering quality. The beginning of these process in the early 90's people estimated that about 27.5% within fortune 500 companies and in the late 90's grew to above 57.5%. Looking at those organizations which have survived into the 2000's we can safely assume that the number has grown.
Total Quality Management:
The introduction of this amazing work process , especially with European companies increased output and also quality of production and profitability. The percentages in the early 90's were 24.5% and it grew substantially also and in the late 90's went to as far as 57.2 %. The growth in the new ways of doing business and production not only brought newer opportunities but also challenged the work force to operate at the highest level.
Job Rotation:
understanding the evolution of society and the entry into the job market of a new breed of employees , creating a more rounded employee was paramount to organizational success and also to be able to create a larger pool of talent. People were then afforded opportunities to have a holistic understanding of the value chain by moving them from one department to the other. This created a better appreciation of the blockages they create if they do not play their part in the value chain. What it also did was to also expose people to new disciplines and consequently the mis-placement of people was minimized. This created new organizational cultures and revolutionarised how the future work place would look like.
We quickly entered with the speed of light the dot.com era , which has been exceptionally fast in speed and the need for organizations to adopt. We have seen those who embraced this era survive and those who never saw it coming die. What this era has done not only did it challenge what I call classical thinking but it shook the foundations of nations and industries.
I believe that especially after the 2008 recession people and organizations were bruised and it was the survival of the smallest and fastest and not necessarily the biggest. So many people fell of the cracks , others saw great opportunities for growth. So during this era which many are grappling to understand, you are either part of this change or you will be a victim. So this is the time to do something real and authentic , you have to play at the highest level however this level must be within your PATH.
Below I will share with you 5 Principles you need to follow to Sharpen your Sword to make sue that you not only stay relevant but that you succeed.
1. Invest in your personal skills development:
No longer will the training department or Talent Management come to you and tell you what you need to develop. You must be pro-active and give them your strategy for the duration you believe you will serve the organization. However that is not where it will end, I believe that you must have your global development plan. The skills you need to get to your desired space as a person. You must enlist the skills of a Mentor and a Coach to get you to the top of your game.
2. Leverage your employer's investment:
Each organization has a development budget , however most employees are re-active and not pro-active. Go and engage your developmental or talent management and find out what is available for you to utilize to grow yourself. You will be surprised because not many if ever people approach and ask about the available budget for development. Also leverage some of the relationships they have with other suppliers who might be able to play a role in your development.
3. Create a continuous learning environment both at work and home:
Learning never happens and ends in a class room situation. Create a developmental environment around you which assists you both consciously and sub-consciously to continue learning. Your car stereo instead of music CD's have audio books , at home instead of spending time on soapies watch educational programs. Inspire your children to read and also watch developmentally focused tv programs and also include in the ipods etc audio books.
4. Long term and short term skills:
Know and develop your skills accordingly, know which ones you need immediately and which ones for later.
this should be part of your global skills development plan I mentioned above. Do not waste time in attending courses just for the sake of attending , know when and where you will need the skill and work accordingly.
5. Prepare for your 2nd career "real career"
Most people are working jobs they hate because they studied what heir parents told them to and not according to their talents. So if you are within that group and there are hoards of people there statistically it is estimated at above 70%. So learn the skills you will need to make your long term dream come true. So this is the time to use the resources in your disposal to really prepare for your chosen PATH work. It is never too late to do that as long as you have planned thoroughly and have honed the skills necessary for you to do that. I believe that this last principle has to be debated and spoken about openly in organizations. Too many people go on "retirement" be miserable and die prematurely. So re-look at where you are now and then start to work hard on your 2nd career.
I believe the above principles will create a process for you not only to walk the PATH but to ensure that as the journey continues your sword is sharp enough to assist you when you are faced with difficulties.
Change will not come with change agents , we are in the nerve centre of the change itself...but it will happen when we stop talking and start doing.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
In search of the PATH
Well the truth is quite simple , you will never get what you do not search for. So in the search for your Path there are very profound questions you must ask yourself. I believe that our lives becomes effortless and very light when we operate in that space which was destined for us from the beginning.
We have seen how easily people loose themselves chasing the wrong things. We are in an era in the history of human beings where people are in a quest for meaning , to be a part of something greater than one's needs. I believe it is the ones walking their chosen Paths who ultimately find fulfillment in who they are. The need for things to validate us , our big houses , expensive jewels , cars etc is fast becoming obsolete.
So below I will share with you some questions which has a potential to pointing you towards your Path. I want you to take your time and not be haste in answering them, I want you to look for the answers within because that is where the truth lies. I believe that answers to our deepest and darkest questions lies in the ebbs of our hearts, there is always a sense of knowing. The challenge always becomes the dealing decisively with the what we know to be the truth about our Path.
1. What moves You ?
What is it that gives you goose pimples , the one thing which puts a lump in your throat , butterflies in your stomach and makes your knees weak when you observe someone doing it or watching it on television.The first time I experienced a Motivational Speaker in action , it was as if I had an out of body experience. I knew there and then that it was me on the platform. The truth is it took me almost 10 years to put it into action , to do something about it. I do not want you to waste as much time as I have , being caught up in the moment of paralysis because my comfort zone was much more stronger than my Path. Do not let fear steal away your golden moments, far too many people are afraid to follow their Path. When the time for your music to stop , you must play Frank Sinatra' s classic " I DID IT MY WAY" we all can only if we confront our fears. The truth is unless your DREAMS are bigger than your fears , you will never ever do anything about finding your Path.
2. What are your natural talents ?
What exactly are your natural talents. I believe that this is where the core of your Path lies. We have seen it over and over again how the greatest of rewards goes to the talented. In the beginning people used to believe that talent was about music and acting , those were the most revered of talented people. However things have changed dramatically , we have people who are skateboarding and are worshiped by throngs of people around the globe and they make unbelievable amounts of money. We have Bakers who are superstars and yet many years ago a baker was a baker and was a baker. We have superstar landscapers , the list is endless. Each and every one of these people does it uniquely and that's what makes them special. What is your talent and believe me the world is waiting for you to show up. Most people just do not show up, so I am urging you to re-examine your life and find those special moments, your moments. There in those moments lies your Path.
3. What is it that people mostly ask you to help them with ?
When you become the go to girl/guy , there is that spark of magic which you carry with you. That magic,the ones people around you recognize you for is an indication of a Path you must follow. When I was a young and over enthusiastic and clueless people always invited me to be an MC of sorts in parties , beauty pageants etc. There in the open in my face was an indication which I totally ignored because the environment around me never took that serious. Most people are affected by the environment they are part of. Environmental impact can either inspire or totally destroy your Path.The environment also includes the people you spend time with. They are either an asset to you or they are liabilities. I always urge people to do a stock take of your associates. You need to check if they inspire you to follow your Path or they discourage you.. Most Visionaries were called crazy until they achieved insurmountable feats and then they are over night called heroes.
Today when I look back at what was happening around me , I am a 1000% sure that there are many of you out there who are trapped in an environment which does not recognize your gift or disregards them. I hope and pray that you will look at what I have shared with you here and begin to retrospect at your life so that you too can get to that elusive space of fulfillment and happiness ...you are not doing anyone a favor especially yourself by hiding your gifts , the world is much poorer without you.
This is is , this is your time to make things happen . The past is but a place of reflection and should not be your prison...see you at the top.
We have seen how easily people loose themselves chasing the wrong things. We are in an era in the history of human beings where people are in a quest for meaning , to be a part of something greater than one's needs. I believe it is the ones walking their chosen Paths who ultimately find fulfillment in who they are. The need for things to validate us , our big houses , expensive jewels , cars etc is fast becoming obsolete.
So below I will share with you some questions which has a potential to pointing you towards your Path. I want you to take your time and not be haste in answering them, I want you to look for the answers within because that is where the truth lies. I believe that answers to our deepest and darkest questions lies in the ebbs of our hearts, there is always a sense of knowing. The challenge always becomes the dealing decisively with the what we know to be the truth about our Path.
1. What moves You ?
What is it that gives you goose pimples , the one thing which puts a lump in your throat , butterflies in your stomach and makes your knees weak when you observe someone doing it or watching it on television.The first time I experienced a Motivational Speaker in action , it was as if I had an out of body experience. I knew there and then that it was me on the platform. The truth is it took me almost 10 years to put it into action , to do something about it. I do not want you to waste as much time as I have , being caught up in the moment of paralysis because my comfort zone was much more stronger than my Path. Do not let fear steal away your golden moments, far too many people are afraid to follow their Path. When the time for your music to stop , you must play Frank Sinatra' s classic " I DID IT MY WAY" we all can only if we confront our fears. The truth is unless your DREAMS are bigger than your fears , you will never ever do anything about finding your Path.
2. What are your natural talents ?
What exactly are your natural talents. I believe that this is where the core of your Path lies. We have seen it over and over again how the greatest of rewards goes to the talented. In the beginning people used to believe that talent was about music and acting , those were the most revered of talented people. However things have changed dramatically , we have people who are skateboarding and are worshiped by throngs of people around the globe and they make unbelievable amounts of money. We have Bakers who are superstars and yet many years ago a baker was a baker and was a baker. We have superstar landscapers , the list is endless. Each and every one of these people does it uniquely and that's what makes them special. What is your talent and believe me the world is waiting for you to show up. Most people just do not show up, so I am urging you to re-examine your life and find those special moments, your moments. There in those moments lies your Path.
3. What is it that people mostly ask you to help them with ?
When you become the go to girl/guy , there is that spark of magic which you carry with you. That magic,the ones people around you recognize you for is an indication of a Path you must follow. When I was a young and over enthusiastic and clueless people always invited me to be an MC of sorts in parties , beauty pageants etc. There in the open in my face was an indication which I totally ignored because the environment around me never took that serious. Most people are affected by the environment they are part of. Environmental impact can either inspire or totally destroy your Path.The environment also includes the people you spend time with. They are either an asset to you or they are liabilities. I always urge people to do a stock take of your associates. You need to check if they inspire you to follow your Path or they discourage you.. Most Visionaries were called crazy until they achieved insurmountable feats and then they are over night called heroes.
Today when I look back at what was happening around me , I am a 1000% sure that there are many of you out there who are trapped in an environment which does not recognize your gift or disregards them. I hope and pray that you will look at what I have shared with you here and begin to retrospect at your life so that you too can get to that elusive space of fulfillment and happiness ...you are not doing anyone a favor especially yourself by hiding your gifts , the world is much poorer without you.
This is is , this is your time to make things happen . The past is but a place of reflection and should not be your prison...see you at the top.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Know your Path and follow it
We have survived all kinds of the so-called end times , predicted by men who thought themselves higher than we the mortals and all of them were wrong and found very wanting.
In my quest and curiosity for things bot physical and meta-physical. I always had this profound question?
What is the Essence of our lives , what is the ultimate prize of this LIFE. In my quest and journey I have met very interesting people from all walks of life , cultures , races , countries etc. My inter-action with them was always and still is trying to decipher the Essence of Life. Why are we here , why were you born were you were born to your parents , country , race , following a certain religious dogma and or being an atheist.
These lingering questions are what most of the people are also seeking answers to. So in both my quest and global observations , it has become apparent to me that there are those who search and find and then there are the oblivious ones...the ones who say "I am here because I am here" whatever happens it is ok. However the most common of things among people is the sense of wanting your life to mean something even if it is within a small community. It is the knowing that you count for something no matter how small.
So let me just throw a few names to stimulate your thinking:
Lionel Messi , Luciano Pavarotti , Muhammad Ali , Tiger Woods , Oprah Winfrey , Sir Richard Branson , Nelson Mandela , Andrew Carnegie , Quinton Tarantino , Steven Spielberg , Barack Obama , Leon Kirkinis , Sydney Poitier , Madonna , Serena Williams et al.
What goes on in your mind as you read the names of each and every person above and I guess there are floods of other names you also know which stimulates something inside of you.
Well let me assist you...they are known for one thing and one discipline, they have mastered something powerful and profound and they are being materially rewarded in all the ways many many people "wish " they also could be rewarded.
So I believe that these people have done something so simple and yet profound and in doing so not only did that reward them but it also gave countless number of other people opportunities to tap into that magic. I believe that most of these people searched for one thing and one thing only ...Their Path...and they followed it to the end of the world , others with much adventure , others with much pain but regardless of the journey the Path was chosen and followed.
So I believe that for you to get to that space of fulfillment to the knowing time and feeling a sense of self-worth the being part of something bigger than your own immediate needs...it is when you have indeed found your Path and followed it relentlessly.
There is no other road that leads to the manifestation of a better you than that journey , your journey only chosen for you and no one else.
I wish you well fellow traveler in your quest...however only those who truly search will find.
In my quest and curiosity for things bot physical and meta-physical. I always had this profound question?
What is the Essence of our lives , what is the ultimate prize of this LIFE. In my quest and journey I have met very interesting people from all walks of life , cultures , races , countries etc. My inter-action with them was always and still is trying to decipher the Essence of Life. Why are we here , why were you born were you were born to your parents , country , race , following a certain religious dogma and or being an atheist.
These lingering questions are what most of the people are also seeking answers to. So in both my quest and global observations , it has become apparent to me that there are those who search and find and then there are the oblivious ones...the ones who say "I am here because I am here" whatever happens it is ok. However the most common of things among people is the sense of wanting your life to mean something even if it is within a small community. It is the knowing that you count for something no matter how small.
So let me just throw a few names to stimulate your thinking:
Lionel Messi , Luciano Pavarotti , Muhammad Ali , Tiger Woods , Oprah Winfrey , Sir Richard Branson , Nelson Mandela , Andrew Carnegie , Quinton Tarantino , Steven Spielberg , Barack Obama , Leon Kirkinis , Sydney Poitier , Madonna , Serena Williams et al.
What goes on in your mind as you read the names of each and every person above and I guess there are floods of other names you also know which stimulates something inside of you.
Well let me assist you...they are known for one thing and one discipline, they have mastered something powerful and profound and they are being materially rewarded in all the ways many many people "wish " they also could be rewarded.
So I believe that these people have done something so simple and yet profound and in doing so not only did that reward them but it also gave countless number of other people opportunities to tap into that magic. I believe that most of these people searched for one thing and one thing only ...Their Path...and they followed it to the end of the world , others with much adventure , others with much pain but regardless of the journey the Path was chosen and followed.
So I believe that for you to get to that space of fulfillment to the knowing time and feeling a sense of self-worth the being part of something bigger than your own immediate needs...it is when you have indeed found your Path and followed it relentlessly.
There is no other road that leads to the manifestation of a better you than that journey , your journey only chosen for you and no one else.
I wish you well fellow traveler in your quest...however only those who truly search will find.
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