In my attempts to sell our marvelous products I have started a networking evening with a very good friend of mine, John Bruckman. We have embarked on various networking events in the past with much success: we are both just the most charming delightful people, and we know how to give people a good time.

We had our first gathering last week and what fun was had by all. Now it is not all just fun! fun! fun!, we had some serious moments. John is a great speaker and he gave us some food for thought around the economic situation we find ourselves in at the moment. “How tulips caused the fall of Kings… and South Africa!”. He took us through the ages to various points where economies suffered and why. He also warned us about buying too much into what the “press” predict. His advice is to sit tight and ride the storm… or buy a good surfboard to ease the ride!

Whilst John was up there being his charming self, Roy (a new friend) was projecting a visual facilitation of John’s subject matter onto the wall! It was so much fun to experience and evoked some interesting comments and conversation. He is really good. Check it out!

Thanks to Gary from La Vista Social Club who allowed us to use his lovely restaurant for the evening and also to John Ford, who provided some great vibes….

If you wanna know more you know where to find me…. I’m at AVO!

This last week I attended Nomsa’s first lone-ranger training. We have a rising star in our midst Avos! Move over Trinity! It was a valuable day for me on many levels, it helped me get focused and organised and this is a real stress relief for me. But in true Avo style there are always those moments where we connect with something more than just what’s in the handbook!

Nomsa was taking us through a section on career success and we were discussing perceptions and how to manage ourselves and others in the perceptions we create.

In a previous company I worked for “managing the perception” was of extreme importance, to the point where integrity and honesty were compromised. No matter what! you had to manage the perception of being or doing the right thing. It became a negative experience and not one of challenge and growth.

Nomsa shared a story of a collegue of ours who has experienced some time management challenges. In her previous place of employment people would manage her around that. If a meeting was at 9.00am they would tell her it was at 8.00am. She would arrive at 8.30 (LATE!) but actually early. When she started working with Avo, the perceptions she was creating were met with honesty and she has taken hold of the lesson and is now on time and prompt.

It made me think about our Kudos and Cockup session on a Friday morning. It is a great opportunity to help each other grow. It is a safe forum where we can be honest about our selves and grow and develop. It is then wonderful when we can celebrate our growth! I really believe that honesty is a good policy! It is a really hard thing to be honest with ourselves and each other, but who ever said self development came without pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!