“I was asked a very interesting question about Trevor Manuel the other day. The questions posed explored the impact of the man as a leader and manager, and his timing in adopting the role and being replaced as the Minister of Finance. Essentially, my colleague was wondering if he had strategically positioned himself in the role in a very good economic climate, and had now moved on as South Africa enters a tougher season. A second question posed was would he have been as effective in this economic climate?
 

This conversation made me consider the skills and capabilities that managers and leaders need to effectively lead their teams and organizations in both the good and the bad times. My personal take is that one can lead effectively in both seasons.”

This is an excerpt from an article that was published in The Workplace yesterday. To read the whole article, please click here.  
 

I have just had the privilege of judging the Business Women of the Year (Entrepreneurship) for the BWASA (Businesswomens Association). I am once again inspired by the calibre of South Africa’s talent. First and foremost, the panel of judges were incredible (if I say so myself). The depth and value of the questions asked, really sought to evaluate the candidates effectively. And of course, I cannot discount the Entrepreneurs themselves, these ladies reflected courage, innovation, strategic thinking and empathy.

Interestingly enough, the greatest challenges experienced by the entrepreneurs reflected the PEOPLE factor (surprise, surprise). Yet again, I am persuaded that the role we play at Avo in terms of skilling business people from all types of industry in effectively managing these interpersonal interactions is critical for the growth of business throughout South Africa. Keep up the good work team!

On the 1st April 2009, Avocado Vision goes public… and that’s no joke!

For the last 13 years Avocado Vision has been effectively servicing our clients by providing training programmes that assist businesses to effectively manage the “people connections” space. Where before, only sales people, engineers and accountants (yeah right!!) were really expected to be good at that stuff, it has now become a business imperative that managers, project workers, knowledge workers, call centre operators (we could go on here, but you get the point) all develop the skill of building better relationships. 

Avo brings a fresh and innovative angle to helping people connect more effectively. It’s a changed world out there!  Business hasn’t even really created a new language to describe our new reality ‘post crash’.  But one thing is for sure - the work we do in helping people build personal come-back-ability and people skills, has never been more key! 

Avo has developed a range of phenomenally effective programmes that to date have only been available to companies who wish to run them within their organisations. We recognised the demand for greater access to our courses and we will be launching our “open course” schedule on the 1st April 2009.  To view our schedule, please click here. 

We will begin these open programmes in Johannesburg and as the demand increases will take them to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Durban respectively. Watch out South Africa, here we come!

We will be marketing these programmes to our database through an innovative and creative electronic marketing format, without making you feel ’spammed’. If you would like to receive the open course updates, please click here.