November 2006

I spent a full week in South Africa speaking and interviewing with some interesting people.

I had a wonderful meal with Albie Schoeman, who is the HR Director of Clover, the largest milk company in South Africa. Albie was telling me how the Board had been using the ‘Perceptions on bottom line profits’ material I had presented. He said that it had made a significant impact on the team and they had incorporated it into their Conference. We had a delightful meal at the Meat Co in Monte Casino and it was great to see him again.

I had a fascinating interview with Paolo Caveleri, CEO of Hollard in Joburg. What a magnificent Head Office. Modern, with the feel of dynamic people in a fun atmosphere. I found it a useful insight into one of South Africa’s most innovative and exciting companies.

Paolo Caveleri, CEO at Hollards

Looking down on the common area. Note the basketball ring, climbing wall and there was also a Pool table, table tennis tables and more for staff to enjoy.

I also had interviews at Syngenta and South African Breweries as well as meetings at ABSA Bank with my good friend Lawerence Mlotshwa.
Syngenta is an interesting organisation who have done some good things with their leadership team. I am looking forward to going back there and finding out more. Of course, South African Breweries is an amazing story and I am enjoying my research with them which is ongoing.

I had a couple of speaking engagements during the week which went down well.
Paul du Toit had arranged a public event where Ronnie Muhl and I were the principle speakers. Ronnie told his amazing story of climbing Mount Everest and I tried out some new material which seemed to go well. I really appreciate Paul’s efforts to put on the event. He is such a lovely guy and works so hard for the speaking industry.

Also a big thank you to Randal Godden and the members of his group in Joburg who made me feel so welcome. Thanks for inviting me back and I look forward to seeing you next year.


Randal and I at the Golf Club

After an exciting week in SA I was on my way to the United States for three days to do some Institute for Management Studies events in Washington, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Wonderful people and exceptionally nice Chairmen in all three areas. They have invited me back next year, so I must have done something right ☺

Jim was kind enough to give me a whistle stop trip around Washington which was wonderful. The city needs to be seen to be believed. It is very grand and well laid out. It was interesting to meet people a week after the elections where the Democrats had won back The House and the Senate. The great thing about democracy is that people can speak out about how they feel about their ruler and people were very open about their feelings. I think there was also an air of trepidation about what will happen over the next two years.

Back to London and straight into a speech for Vistage that afternoon for Ian Simmonds. Great group and finally got to meet Robert Drew. Everyone seemed to enjoy the presentation and lovely feedback from them all.


The following morning I had a speech for the West Midlands Quality Group and then onto Manchester Police for another speech in the afternoon. All in all an exhausting week but very rewarding indeed.

Having had a successful week we all went to dinner on Saturday night as a thank you to the team. We had decided to restructure the teams responsibilities and everyone was pleased with the new structure and at one of our most successful weeks in sales.

The last week has been a little less hectic but still quite busy. At least I am home and not flying for a few weeks.

My mastermind group went reasonably well. I think we need to bring in some new blood and be prepared to challenge a lot more. I am enjoying the relationship with Roger Harrop and think there is a lot more we could do together.

A fascinating interview with a local business, BGB Engineering. What an amazing company and my thanks go to David Hoyt for sharing their journey with me. I love stories of organisations that think strategically and are also prepared to think differently. Some fascinating insights and I will write an article about them in the next week.




Finally, I visited a school I had worked for a couple of years ago in Nottingham.
I had worked with the Senior Management team as they embarked on their journey to become a college and developing an engineering centre. This was now nearly complete and I had the pleasure to attend a pre-launch event and to say a few words. It was lovely to be able to recognise the hard work of the Head, Peter Brown. He is a dynamic man who had a great vision. Well done Peter, I look forward to seeing a lot more of Top Valley School and Engineering College in the future.


Peter Brown, Head of Top Valley School and Engineering College

The last week of the month will be devoted to writing and planning projects for the next year.

Three Weeks in UK

An interesting three weeks in the UK. So many good things are happening and I’ve had the opportunity to speak at some great venues and meet some wonderful people.

I spoke in Edinburgh, which is always a pleasure. I do enjoy Scotland. The people are so friendly but at the same time they are to the point. They will challenge but at the same time they are open to discussion and ideas.

I have been invited to speak in Bristol (another great event), Manchester, Coventry, London, Newcastle amongst other places. I had an interesting day speaking and working with a College in Northamptonshire. Schools in UK are generally struggling to grasp the future and adapt their thinking to be able to prepare their students for that future.

The Manchester Vistage (formally TEC) group was a wonderful meeting. Some excellent questions and discussion. Thanks to Edward for inviting me and I wish you all well.

I had the pleasure of visiting a division of a Japanese company who has had such massive growth in the last three years. It is interesting to see their approach to business and how they have coped with the growth.

A highlight for me was to speak at the Inspire2006 Conference in London that was organised by the Academy of Chief Executives. It was a delight for two reasons. Firstly I got to see two great friends and spend time with them. My friend Mitchell (see picture) was there and it is a delight to see him, chat with him and I enjoy listening to him speak. I need to listen to him from time to time to get myself re-focused and realise that there is so much I can do if I don’t let myself get in the way of me!!!



My other friend, Guy Levine, was also there and I love seeing him. He is such a lovely young man with a good brain and a warm heart. His insight into marketing on the internet is really wonderful.

I also got to see a number of other friends including Robyn Pearce who is the current President of the International Federation for Professional Speakers.

A wonderful experience was to be on stage at Inspire2006 and have the chance to question the four speakers after they had delivered their speeches. They were all Chief Executives of their companies. John Timpson of Timpson’s, Mark Adlestone from Beaverbrooks Jewelers and Claire Owen of Stopgap. They were all consistent in their message about the need to focus and develop people and most importantly the need to recruit the right people. They were very clear that if the person is not right, then deal with it and don’t let it contaminate the organisation.

I was only able to attend the opening of the UK Speakers Association conference but it was wonderful to see some old friends and to make some contacts.

I am off to South Africa now and have a hectic week planned over there.