Monthly Archive for January, 2009

Is South Africa going to be ready for the World Cup?

High unemployment. A dramatic decrease in investment. Growing xenophobia. A national mood of collective depression. A national football team supported by only 8% of the population after being knocked out at the group stage of their continental championships. And two years away from hosting a Football World Cup.

South Africa 2008?

No, Germany 2004.

Football World Cup 2010 stadium in Cape TownIn contrast, South Africa today is comparatively better off than Germany was in 2004. Unemployment is at its lowest level for some time, increased investment – especially that of government – is expected to shield the country from the worst of the global economic slowdown (together with some incredibly insightful changes to banking laws and interest rates over the past 3 years) and the people of South Africa are less depressed than they were a year ago. Even Bafana Bafana (South Africa’s national football team) won their fifth game in a row this week!

Also this week, two separate surveys were released indicating that South Africans were overwhelmingly confident that they will host a fantastic World Cup in 2010, despite concerns about crime, traffic congestion and inflated prices. The stadiums are going to be breathtakingly awesome. The picture here is of the new Cape Town stadium – how stunning is that?

See some of the latest information at Wikipedia.

The “African World Cup” in 2010 is going to be the best one ever, and unforgettable for those who go.

If you’d like to hear someone who knows what’s going on, and can give you the facts, as well as share insights on how to help your company or organisation get the most out of the World Cup, then contact Gary Bailey – see http://www.gameplan2010.com/

Big challenges for management

Leo Burnett’s take on trends in 2009

TomorrowToday and the Periodic Table of Talent

Recruiting good people is like catching butterflies

Fox News on Obama’s first day (this is insane)

A Lesson in managing (potentially) irate customers

Pleased to meet you. What do you do for a living?

Key consumer trends for an uncertain 2009

Leadership lessons from the world of cricket captains (or, my part in Kevin Pietersen’s rise and fall)

Is Google making us Stupid?

Will Gen Y be loyal (if they get what they want at work)?

Nancy Killefer’s great insight – business is a ‘contact sport’

Graeme Codrington and Paul Bridle interviewed for MPI

CVs – Get professional help

A question of Trust: Most Trusted Brands – really?

A memo to CEOs – your job has changed

Good news amidst the UK gloom

Cancer free baby is born

Online video – Graeme speaking about Millennial generation and school leadership

Employee Engagement a key to success in a recession

Barack Obama’s Simple Leadership Recipe