So, it is your first day in the corner office…

I received an email the other day inviting me to contribute a ‘thought’ or message to a leader newly appointed to the role of CEO. I was one of several people invited to do so and I thought it was a nice touch. Unfortunately, the mail arrived at a time when I was in Thailand on holiday (someone has to do it) and deliberately computerless. By the time I read the invitation, the deadline and opportunity to make a contribution had passed. Ah well, maybe next time.

But I got to think what it is I would have written and decided that this is the message that I would want a new CEO to hear…

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June 2008 eZine

Available online at: http://www.tmtd.biz/articles This month at a glance… more details below :: So, it is your first day in the corner office… (by Keith Coats) :: Building Network Alliances – The future for profitability and success in turbulant times. (by Dean van Leeuwen) :: Introducing the Generations (by Graeme Codrington) :: Talent – I dislike that word (by Barrie Bramley) :: TomorrowToday.biz Building Capacity in London and Europe :: Featured Articles in June KeithCoats – So, it is your first day in the corner office I received an email the other day inviting me to contribute a ‘thought’ or message to a leader newly appointed to the role of CEO. I was one of several people invited to do so and I thought it was a nice touch. Unfortunately, the mail arrived at a time when I was in Thailand on holiday (someone has to do it) and deliberately computerless. By the time I read the invitation, the deadline and opportunity to make a contribution had passed. Ah well, maybe next time. But I got to think what it is I would have written and decided that this is the message that I would want a new CEO to hear… Click here to read the rest of this article DeanvanLeeuwen – Building Network Alliances – The future for profitability and success in turbulant times. Business world is facing the dawning of a new alliance age / revolution that will bring about a new business model more symbiotic and substantially different from the business model of today. The competitive and changing economic landscape demands a new business model…one removed from the shareholder value model to one where value for all stakeholders is created. A model where symbiosis is common place, a model where an entirely new set of rules, governances and structural design/architecture is created; a model that requires the mobilisation of every ounce of intelligence from the managers managing the relationships. In this article our UK & European Director, Dean van Leeuwen, shares with us the results from interviewing over 30 senior executive managers and undertaking a broader global research study of leading companies. The results are illuminating. Click here to read the rest of this article GraemeCodrington – Introducing the Generations The era in which you were born has an extraordinary effect on your value system, your expectations of the workplace and how you approach life. In this article, Dr Graeme Codrington, one of the world’s leading experts on generational theory, gives an introduction to the concept of the generation gap. Click here to read the rest of this article BarrieBramley – Talent – I dislike that word! Barrie Bramley looks at the preoccupation many companies have with ‘talent’and the confusion it’s causing; as those who are grappling with it struggle to work out what to do with it? Barrie looks at the problem of scarce skills in the market place and the fact that when there’s a shortage of people with skills, you want to ensure that you ‘acquire’ the best people available. Click here to read the rest of this article GraemeCodrington – TomorrowToday.biz Building Capacity in London and Europe Graeme Codrington moves to our UK branch in August this year. While not a permanent relocation, it’s expected that Graeme and his family will remain abroad for three to five-years. Already an internationally recognised expert on talent and the future of work, Graeme will continue to help organisations to understand global societal changes, and how these changes affect their staff, leaders and customers. While abroad, Graeme will periodically return to South Africa to honour requests from clients who wish to engage with him directly. Click here to read the rest of this article

Load shedding lessons (and opportunities)

Dr Graeme Codrington offers insight for South Africans (and others) on how not to be left in the dark when it comes to strategic planning as well as attracting and retaining talented young people with creativity – particularly when traditional solutions aren’t working. Consider how you could use the current load shedding to your advantage!

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Developing corporate leaders

Explore four trends that are currently changing the face of business as Keith explains how these trends are resulting in the need for a radical transformation in the process of developing leaders who are capable of leading into the future.

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The Great HR Paradox: A Thought Bullet for CEO’s everywhere

“Never before has ‘HR’ (Human Resources) been so redundant within the corporation; yet paradoxically, never before has it been more critical.” In this article, Keith Coats offers a viewpoint on how companies can make the transition to the connection economy and arrive in tomorrow’s world with the requisite skills to not only survive but succeed and lead in the business world today.

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Why Ethical Consumption is Taking Off

Dr Graeme Codrington’s latest presentation is called “Hannah’s Rules” which alerts companies to an essential emerging trend: the ethical consumer. In this article, he explains WHY ethical consumption is such a growing trend.

Why Ethical Consumption is Taking Off

By Dr Graeme Codrington

Today’s consumers are not just looking for a good product at a fair price. They are looking beyond the product or service to the ethics of the company that supplies it. The symptoms of this shift in focus by consumers is evident in the concerns that these customers have about the companies they purchase from. There is growing interest, for example, in labour practices, diversity quotas, environmental policies, social responsibility, and even CEO salaries are under scrutiny.

So-called “triple bottom line” reporting, which gets companies to present not just financial results, but also social and environmental results and impact, too, is one way in which corporates are trying to respond. And they need to respond because are voicing their concerns, in everything from boycotting stores to suing corporations. Companies like Ford, Gap, Nike, Walmart and KfC have all experienced the wrath of ethical consumers in recent years, and have been forced to respond quickly to protect their reputations and their very existence as companies.

This growing emphasis on ethical consumption is a trend that cannot be ignored. It is not going to go away. There are some important changes in the world that provide indications that ethical consumers will continue to be a growing force in the next few decades. Companies would do well to understand this trend, and be proactive in dealing with it.

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Who’s Looking After Them?

Karin Wellman, co-founder and director of TomorrowTraining, asks, “Who is training your trainers?” Trainers and those in charge of the development of other staff members are often neglected as recipients of training and development themselves. Karin highlights this as a critical problem for businesses today, and suggests a solution.

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Do You Know Talent?

What is talent, and do you really want it? If so, how much talent do you want, where will you find it and what are you going to do with the talented people you manage to attract to your company? Barrie Bramley turns his attention to these and similar questions, as he helps companies to see talent as their most important competitive differentiator.

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Dear Yves…a conversation around Values

Following a presentation on Invitational Leadership at a two day workshop for senior leaders at a prominent multi-national, the CEO of the company and Keith Coats engaged in a chat about values and the role they play in a company. He invited Keith to email him some thoughts around the four values his company had framed. Here is Keith’s response. It is an excellent insight into the type of values-driven leadership required in companies today.

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October ezine

Edition: October 2007 Available online at: http://www.tmtd.biz/articles This month at a glance… more details below :: Why Ethical Consumption is Taking Off (by Graeme Codrington) :: Who’s Looking After Them? (by Karin Wellman) :: Do You Know Talent? (by Barrie Bramley) :: Dear Yves…a conversation around Values (by Keith Coats) :: Featured Articles in October GraemeCodrington – Why Ethical Consumption is Taking Off Dr Graeme Codrington’s latest presentation is called Hannah’s Rules which alerts companies to an essential emerging trend: the ethical consumer. In this article, he explains WHY ethical consumption is such a growing trend. Click here to read the rest of this article KarinWellman – Who’s Looking After Them? Karin Wellman, co-founder and director of TomorrowTraining, asks, “Who is training your trainers?” Trainers and those in charge of the development of other staff members are often neglected as recipients of training and development themselves. Karin highlights this as a critical problem for businesses today, and suggests a solution. Click here to read the rest of this article BarrieBramley – Do You Know Talent? What is talent, and do you really want it? If so, how much talent do you want, where will you find it and what are you going to do with the talented people you manage to attract to your company? Barrie Bramley turns his attention to these and similar questions, as he helps companies to see talent as their most important competitive differentiator. Click here to read the rest of this article KeithCoats – Dear Yves…a conversation around Values Following a presentation on Invitational Leadership at a two day workshop for senior leaders at a prominent multi-national, the CEO of the company and Keith Coats engaged in a chat about values and the role they play in a company. He invited Keith to email him some thoughts around the four values his company had framed. Here is Keith’s response. It is an excellent insight into the type of values-driven leadership required in companies today. Click here to read the rest of this article Presentations and Presenters: TomorrowToday is a world-class provider of multimedia-driven, edutaining, strategic keynote presentations. Our team of keynote presenters and consulting futurists are consistently rated as the top presenters at industry events, conferences and strategy sessions. Let one of us be the highlight at your next event! Use one of our proven frameworks, or let us work with you to customise for your specific requirements. Our strategic insights have assisted hundreds of clients to understand tomorrow, and apply that understanding today. http://www.tomorrowtoday.biz/presentations/keynote-presentations.html © TomorrowToday.Biz 2007

You are receiving this E-zine because you subscribed to the free service from TomorrowToday.biz. These updates are intended for business decision makers and people thinking about the future, and are only sent to those who request them. To remove your name from our list or to change your email address, see the instructions at the bottom of this email. Please do not reply to this email – no human being looks at the replies. To contact a real human being at TomorrowToday.biz please email Graeme Codrington: graeme@tomorrowtoday.biz.

Who you are, not what you sell

First published in Cover magazine in Oct 2006.

We all know that change is now a constant reality. But, less obvious, is the fact that the daily changes we encounter are merely symptoms of an irreversible, radical transformation of our society. As we chart a course into the 21^stcentury, we discover that consumers are no longer simply passive recipients of our products theyre involved, knowledgeable, powerful and discerning. And that changes everything.

The Digital Revolution?

In virtually every industry today, were generating more products and services than at any point in history, delivering better quality through an ever-growing number of channels, at prices that constantly put pressure on our margins and profitability. At the same time, cellphones, websites, and a proliferation of media sources all combine to give consumers increased access to more information, at greater speed and lower cost than ever before. There are two major implications of these shifts: (1) there are less and less ways by which competitors can differentiate themselves, as they sell similar products at similar prices in similar ways; and (2) detailed comparisons between competitors are easily achieved and are now a matter of course for consumers.

SIDEBAR QUOTE
The surplus society has a surplus of similar companies, employing similar people, with similar educational backgrounds, coming up with similar ideas, producing similar things, with similar prices and similar quality.
Kjell Nordström and Jonas Ridderstråle, Funky Business

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Generation Y: Its life, Jim, but not as we know it

First Published in Marketing Mix Magazine (2001)

STRAP: The age of the customer

I dont remember Apartheid, but I know all about AIDS. I dont care who won the Cold War or wonder who shot JFK, but I know the answers are just a click away if I need them. I was weaned on a diet of mass media and massive choice, and I know how to use both to my advantage. I am Generation Y. And if you want me to listen, you have to speak my language.
By Kim Penstone & Graeme Codrington

The age of the customer is upon us. Never before have customers had so much choice, and so much information at their disposal to influence this choice. Never before have they had the confidence to use this power to control the companies that cater to them. And never before have they had the extent of power that they have today. Until, of course, tomorrow.

Because future generations will have access to even more information than we have today. Generation Y will be wired to the hilt, capable of absorbing and processing information more quickly and efficiently than any generation before them. And they will have both the confidence and the power to use this information to build or destroy brands at the click of a button.

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Beware the Rise of the Ethical Consumer

A new generation of “ethical consumers” are starting to demand more than just great products and services at fair prices – they also increasingly require transparency, environmental care, social responsibility, diversity and a host of other characteristics in the companies they buy from. They will be demanding these from their employers in the future, too. In this article, Dr Graeme Codrington helps you to see your company – your product offerings, your brand, your reputation, your leaders, your people and your future – through the eyes of your future consumers and staff.

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What’s Your First Impression

You only get one chance to make a first impression. The old cliche could not be more true, or more important, in a world where we compete constantly for customer’s attention and connection. Dr Graeme Codrington looks at some first impressions you may not be considering, and suggests that this is so important that it should be a top strategic priority.

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The Soul of Your African: Celebration

Aloysias Maimane asks what makes someone an African. Part of the answer relates to African celebrations. In this article, Aloysias explains what celebrations mean to Africans, and what implications this has for companies and leaders. Anyone who needs to attract, retain and inspire African staff members, whatever their cultural background, would do well to consider the importance of celebrations.

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The Inconvenient Truth for Leaders

What global warming is to Al Gore, so is the issue of control to the leader. However the inconvenient truth is that control is an illusion. Keith Coats, global leadership guru explores the concept of leadership and control in this insightful article on invitational leadership.

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Retiring the Generation Gap: How Employees Young & Old Can Find Common Ground, by Jennifer Deal

A few years ago, some of the TomorrowToday team attended a workshop by Jennifer Deal. She certainly challenged our thinking. Her contention was that all the focus on generation gaps in the workplace was obscuring the fact that there are many similarities between people of all ages. She is right, of course – and it is a good “corrective voice” for business to hear. As much as there are certain distinctive characteristics of different generations, each person in your company is nevertheless still that: a person, a human being. As such, they have certain drives, ambitions, requirements and characteristics that should not be neglected.

Jennifer Deal has now turned that research into a book. We were sent a review and summary of the book, and thought you’d be interested in reading about the 10 principles for engaging staff, young and old. This is a great book that will help you not become stuck when thinking about different generations, and not overcompensate for generational differences.

You can purchase the book at Amazon.com or Kalahari.net.

… Continue Reading

Articles for July 2007

Edition: July 2007 Available online at: http://www.tmtd.biz/articles This month at a glance… more details below:: Beware the Rise of the Ethical Consumer (by Graeme Codrington):: The Inconvenient Truth for Leaders (by Keith Coats) :: The Soul of Your African: Celebration (by Aloysias Maimane) :: What’s Your First Impression (by Graeme Codrington) :: Book review and recommendation :: Authentic Leadership: The Global Perspective :: TomorrowTraining: Train-the-Trainer :: A new kind of eNerGy :: Featured Articles in July GraemeCodrington – Beware the Rise of the Ethical Consumer A new generation of “ethical consumers” are starting to demand more than just great products and services at fair prices – they also increasingly require transparency, environmental care, social responsibility, diversity and a host of other characteristics in the companies they buy from. They will be demanding these from their employers in the future, too. In this article, Dr Graeme Codrington helps you to see your company – your product offerings, your brand, your reputation, your leaders, your people and your future – through the eyes of your future consumers and staff. Click here to read the rest of this article KeithCoats – The Inconvenient Truth for Leaders What global warming is to Al Gore, so is the issue of control to the leader. However the inconvenient truth is that control is an illusion. Keith Coats, global leadership guru explores the concept of leadership and control in this insightful article on invitational leadership. Click here to read the rest of this article AloysiasMaimane – The Soul of Your African: Celebration Aloysias Maimane asks what makes someone an African. Part of the answer relates to African celebrations. In this article, Aloysias explains what celebrations mean to Africans, and what implications this has for companies and leaders. Anyone who needs to attract, retain and inspire African staff members, whatever their cultural background, would do well to consider the importance of celebrations. Click here to read the rest of this article GraemeCodrington – What’s Your First Impression You only get one chance to make a first impression. The old cliché could not be more true, or more important, in a world where we compete constantly for customer’s attention and connection. Dr Graeme Codrington looks at some first impressions you may not be considering, and suggests that this is so important that it should be a top strategic priority. Click here to read the rest of this article :: Book review and recommendation Retiring the Generation Gap: How Employees Young & Old Can Find Common Ground A few years ago, some of the TomorrowToday team attended a workshop by Jennifer Deal. She certainly challenged our thinking. Her contention was that all the focus on generation gaps in the workplace was obscuring the fact that there are many similarities between people of all ages. She is right, of course – and it is a good “corrective voice” for business to hear. As much as there are certain distinctive characteristics of different generations, each person in your company is nevertheless still that: a person, a human being. As such, they have certain drives, ambitions, requirements and characteristics that should not be neglected.   Jennifer Deal has now turned that research into a book. We were sent a review and summary of the book, and thought you’d be interested in reading about the 10 principles for engaging staff, young and old. This is a great book that will help you not become stuck when thinking about different generations, and not overcompensate for generational differences. You can purchase the book at Amazon.com or Kalahari.net. Click here to read the rest of this book review :: Authentic Leadership: The Global Perspective 1 November 2007, London, UK www.authentic-leadership.info This is one event you and your senior managers must attend this year – it is unique in its offering. Authenticity and diversity are fundamental to managing successfully at the highest level in business today. 9 of the world’s best speakers at a one-time event in London, to give you the ultimate, up-to-the-minute information on authentic leadership in the new global market. You will hear about: What is an authentic global leader? Uncovering, projecting and leading with authentic values Being a leader driven by integrity and inspiration Attracting a new generation of ethical consumers A diverse perspective on leadership from the best of global experts Unlocking the ‘rebel’ in you to reach your spirit, passion and purpose as a leader Attracting the best in future talent Being different and making a difference as a truly authentic leader This is truly a one-off, not to be missed event, organised by WalkingTall. TomorrowToday will be represented by Dr Graeme Codrington, who will be speaking on his latest keynote presentation, “Hannah’s Rules” about the coming of the ethical consumer (see the article in this e-zine and the website: www.hannahsrules.com). LOGISTICS: 1st November 2007 Number SIX Gresham Street, London EC2V 7AD, UK 9.30am to 4.30pm Fee – £550 plus VAT Including lunch and refreshments. Early Bird Booking Until 31st August only, we’re offering 3 places for £1100 plus VAT, to up to 10 companies. More details of the speakers and a booking form are available at www.authentic-leadership.info TomorrowTraining: Train-the-Trainer Presents: Train-the-Trainer programme (or How Not to Get Shot) To date, close on 90 people have gone through our Train-the-Trainer public courses in Johannesburg and Cape Town. If you were not one of them, what are you waiting for? Our philosophy is that the best trainers are not born, merely experienced. Our programme aims to provide trainers and facilitators with the tools, tips and techniques that experienced trainers rely on. At the end of this programme, participants will be able to facilitate learning in groups apply adult learning principles apply the secrets of body language to group dynamics create an environment which supports learning No prior experience necessary! Here is what some of our delegates have said: “Absolutely brilliant!” “Such fun and so informative.” “A total eye-opener!” “Empowering tools and skills.” “A GREAT course! The best I have ever been on. I learned so much! Duration: 2 days Date: Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th of August 2007 Time: 08:30am – 4:30pm Cost: R2200.00 per delegate (includes all course material and catering) Venue: TBC (Johannesburg North) Space is limited, be sure to book your place today by contacting: Contact: Karin Wellman +27 83 600 4623 karin@tomorrowtraining.biz Vicky Solomon +27 82 884 9588 vicky@tomorrowtraining.biz More information available at the TomorrowTraining website. A new kind of eNerGy   If you live and work in Cape Town, and have had anything to do with TomorrowToday, you will probably have met with, spoken to, or seen Nicky and Glenda. For the past few years they have worked with TomorrowToday as client managers, arranging and organising the best possible TomorrowToday content at conferences and businesses all through the wider Cape Region. Having gained experience, confidence and a view to chasing their dreams, Nicky and Glenda have left TomorrowToday to start their own agency called eNerGy. In their own words, “So what is eNerGy? eNerGy are a company of Professional Agents who provide companies with a comprehensive list of services in the context of their events, functions and human development needs. This includes, speakers, trainers, consultants, venues, etc.” Of course, as part of their new venture, they will continue to let organisations all over the wider Cape Region know just how TomorrowToday can add value to their business. If you’d like to make contact with eNerGy, they can be mailed on Glenda@eNerGy-sa.biz and Nicky@eNerGy-sa.biz. We wish them well as the next chapter of their journey unfolds. Presentations and Presenters:   TomorrowToday is a world-class provider of multimedia-driven, edutaining, strategic keynote presentations. Our team of keynote presenters and consulting futurists are consistently rated as the top presenters at industry events, conferences and strategy sessions. Let one of us be the highlight at your next event! Use one of our proven frameworks, or let us work with you to customise for your specific requirements. Our strategic insights have assisted hundreds of clients to understand tomorrow, and apply that understanding today. In last month’s e-zine, we listed all of our keynote presentations. Unfortunately, due to a glitch on our side, we listed the incorrect presenters next to each presentation. We’re not going to repeat the full list in this e-zine, but if you’re interested in what we do, and who does it, please go to http://www.tomorrowtoday.biz/presentations/keynote-presentations.html © TomorrowToday.Biz 2007

You are receiving this E-zine because you subscribed to the free service from TomorrowToday.biz. These updates are intended for business decision makers and people thinking about the future, and are only sent to those who request them. To remove your name from our list or to change your email address, see the instructions at the bottom of this email. Please do not reply to this email – no human being looks at the replies. To contact a real human being at TomorrowToday.biz please email Graeme Codrington: graeme@tomorrowtoday.biz.

June ezine

Edition: June 2007 Available online at: http://www.tmtd.biz/articles This month at a glance… more details below :: Crowdsourcing – Getting Your Customers and Staff to develop new innovations for you (by Dean van Leeuwen) :: Prisoners of the past (by Graeme Codrington) :: The New Village: Building Courageous Companies (by Keith Coats) :: Why Strategies Don’t Work (by Pete Laburn) :: Buppies – coming to terms with young black staff (by Aloysias Maimane) :: Top class Keynote Presenters at your nextconference or strategy session :: TomorrowTraining – Train-the-Trainer programme (or how not to get shot) :: Featured Articles in June DeanvanLeeuwen – Crowdsourcing – Getting Your Customers and Staff to develop new innovations for you Crowdsourcing is a technique that progressive companies are using to translate the enthusiasm of their most highly-engaged customers into valuable marketing, branding, or product-development insight. Dean van Leeuwen, TomorrowToday’s UK and European director, who has an MBA and extensive work experience in marketing, looks at this new trend and provides practical guidelines for customer-led organisations. Click here to read the rest of this article GraemeCodrington – Prisoners of the past The opening line of the best selling business book of all time is as succinct as it is true: “Good is the enemy of great”. Jim Collins’ 2001 bestseller, “Good to Great” explains how most companies never become great because they are already good. They have become prisoners to their past – not feeling any need to push boundaries, innovate, prepare for the unexpected, stretch themselves or make necessary changes to ensure sustainable success. Dr Graeme Codrington argues that this is a recipe for disaster, that only future-focused leadership – who have the guts to look forward and not back – can avert. Click here to read the rest of this article KeithCoats – The New Village: Building Courageous Companies In this article, Keith Coats, our resident leadership expert, visits one of his favourite themes: the company as a village. He explains the four key requirements for developing successful and resilient organisations: belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. Click here to read the rest of this article PeteLaburn – Why Strategies Don’t Work Many people will agree with Pete Laburn, strategy consultant and part of TomorrowToday’s network, that strategy just doesn’t work in most companies. Its either about just getting a plan done for head office, or we actually don’t have the time to lift our heads above the daily grind to see into the future. In this article, Pete argues that there is one dominant reason why strategies fail, and that is that the only strategy that organisations will deliver is the one that they are capable of delivering. He suggests three critical elements for developing organisational capability for implementing strategies. Click here to read the rest of this article AloysiasMaimane – Buppies – coming to terms with young black staff Buppies – Black yuppies. Black young upwardly mobile professionals. Research shows that this is one of the fastest growing demographic groups in South Africa, but many companies and leaders have no idea how to manage them. Aloysias Maimane, a new member of the TomorrowToday team and a top South African presenter and facilitator, provides some insights into this important group. Click here to read the rest of this article :: Strategic Inputs @ your next conference or strategy session TomorrowToday is a world-class provider of multimedia-driven, edutaining, strategic keynote presentations. Our team of keynote presenters and consulting futurists are consistently rated as the top presenters at industry events, conferences and strategy sessions. Let one of us be the highlight at your next event! Use one of our proven frameworks, or let us work with you to customise for your specific requirements. Our strategic insights have assisted hundreds of clients to understand tomorrow, and apply that understanding today.For a client list, go to www.tomorrowtoday.biz/clients.html, and client testimonials, go to www.tomorrowtoday.biz/testimonials.html. :: Balancing Today & Tomorrow - In a world where you and your competitors are very difficult to tell apart, success comes less and less from WHAT you sell, and more and more from WHO you are and HOW you sell. This presentation provides critical insight into the “connection economy” and presents the secrets for gaining and sustaining a competitive advantage in the 21st century. Presented by: Graeme Codrington, Barrie Bramley, Keith Coats For more info: www.tomorrowtoday.biz/strategy/balancing-today-and-tomorrow.html :: Bright Young Things- Create a culture which will attract, retain and get the most out of your talented staff and customers. Presented by: Graeme Codrington, Barrie Bramley, Aloysias Maimane For more info:www.tomorrowtoday.biz/talent/bright-young-things.html :: Savvy Leadership- A revolutionary new paradigm for 21st century leadership. What leaders need to see, need to know, and need to be in the emerging connection economy. Presented by: Keith Coats, Graeme Codrington For more info:www.tomorrowtoday.biz/savvy-leadership/savvy-leadership.html :: Prime Time- Inspire your ageing workforce to retire, retyre, mentor talent and leave a legacy.Presented by: Pete Laburn For more info:www.tomorrowtoday.biz/wisdom/prime-time.html :: GamePlan2010- Start preparing NOW for the greatest business event in Africa’s history – the World Cup Finals 2010. Presented by: Gary Bailey, Graeme CodringtonFor more info:http://www.tomorrowtoday.biz/strategy/gameplan2010.htm :: Mind the Gap- Our award-winning presentation on the generation gap. Presented by: Aloysias Maimane, Raymond de Villiers, Graeme Codrington For more info:http://www.tomorrowtoday.biz/generations/mind-the-gap.html To see biographies of our speakers, go to: http://www.tomorrowtoday.biz/people.htm Events in South Africa: Presents: Upcoming Public training courses Train-the-Trainer programme (or How Not to Get Shot)To date, close on 70 people have gone through our Train-The-Trainer public courses, which are aimed to provide trainers and facilitators with the tools, tips and techniques that experienced trainers rely on. Delegates on previous courses have raved about the course, and the results they have seen in their own training and facilitation. See our website for some testimonials.Participants will be able to facilitate learning in groups, apply adult learning principles, apply the secrets of body language to group dynamics and create an environment which supports learning. Duration: 2 days Date: Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th June 2007 Time: 08:30am – 4:30pm Cost: R2200.00 per delegate (includes all course material and catering) Venue: TBC (Johannesburg North) Space is limited, be sure to book your place today by contacting: Contact: Karin Wellman +27 83 600 4623 karin@tomorrowtraining.bizVicky Solomon +27 82 884 9588 vicky@tomorrowtraining.biz More information available here. Presentations and Presenters:   Check out our top rated presentations and presenters at: http://www.tomorrowtoday.biz © TomorrowToday.Biz 2007

You are receiving this E-zine because you subscribed to the free service from TomorrowToday.biz. These updates are intended for business decision makers and people thinking about the future, and are only sent to those who request them. To remove your name from our list or to change your email address, see the instructions at the bottom of this email. Please do not reply to this email – no human being looks at the replies. To contact a real human being at TomorrowToday.biz please email Graeme Codrington.

Crowdsourcing – Getting Your Customers and Staff to develop new innovations for you

Crowdsourcing is a technique that progressive companies are using to translate the enthusiasm of their most highly-engaged customers into valuable marketing, branding, or product-development insight. Dean van Leeuwen, TomorrowToday’s UK and European director, who has an MBA and extensive work experience in marketing, looks at this new trend and provides practical guidelines for customer-led organisations.

… Continue Reading

Prisoners of the past

The opening line of the best selling business book of all time is as succinct as it is true: “Good is the enemy of great”. Jim Collins’ 2001 bestseller, “Good to Great” explains how most companies never become great because they are already good. They have become prisoners to their past – not feeling any need to push boundaries, innovate, prepare for the unexpected, stretch themselves or make necessary changes to ensure sustainable success. Dr Graeme Codrington argues that this is a recipe for disaster, that only future-focused leadership – who have the guts to look forward and not back – can avert.

… Continue Reading

The New Village: Building Courageous Companies

In this article, Keith Coats, our resident leadership expert, visits one of his favourite themes: the company as a village. He explains the four key requirements for developing successful and resilient organisations: belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.

… Continue Reading

Why Strategies Don’t Work

Many people will agree with Pete Laburn, strategy consultant and part of TomorrowToday’s network, that strategy just doesn’t work in most companies. Its either about just getting a plan done for head office, or we actually don’t have the time to lift our heads above the daily grind to see into the future. In this article, Pete argues that there is one dominant reason why strategies fail, and that is that the only strategy that organisations will deliver is the one that they are capable of delivering. He suggests three critical elements for developing organisational capability for implementing strategies.

In the many strategic sessions we run, we usually ask delegates “Who feels frazzled in their work?” Response to this question at is inevitably almost 100%. And when challenged as to why this happens, the usual answer is that ‘that’s the way it is today’. When pushed on just how enjoyable or satisfying their work is, delegates eyes glaze over, they shrug their shoulders, in apparent resignation that this is their lot in life, and the only possible way to cope in today’s world.

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Buppies – coming to terms with young black staff

Buppies – Black yuppies. Black young upwardly mobile professionals. Research shows that this is one of the fastest growing demographic groups in South Africa, but many companies and leaders have no idea how to manage them. Aloysias Maimane, a new member of the TomorrowToday team and a top South African presenter and facilitator, provides some insights into this important group.

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Yes, it will cost more

I spend much of my time helping companies to create corporate cultures that will attract and retain talented young people. This involves looking at everything from terms and conditions of employment, remuneration policies and bonus schemes, to office layout, use of technology, management styles and team dynamics. One of my biggest frustrations is that very often those within an organisation who understand what needs to be done to get top talent to work there are overruled by those who are focused on saving money, efficiencies and creating “lean and mean” environments.

We live in an era where competitive advantage is found less and less in the products and services a company offers – mainly because the competitors are so closely aligned that the market can’t tell the difference between them. We live an era where technology is pervasive, markets open, and global competition the norm. In such an era, the only really sustainable competitive advantage is your people. This is why there is currently a “war for talent” in every industry across the globe.
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Leading the Whatever Generation – the ‘Bright Young Things’

Leadership in today’s world is not easy. I suspect it has never ‘been easy’ but with the contemporary levels of complexity, connectedness and ubiquitous change these are indeed unique times in which to live and lead. The twin challenges that leaders face, that of leading diversity and understanding the inherent paradoxes, demands from leaders new mindsets that lead to new behaviours. All of this converges, like the Leader’s personal perfect storm, when it comes to leading Talent, or those we refer to as the, ‘Bright Young Things’. This article article explores six keys to understanding and leading Talent. It may even shed some light on those ‘Bright Young Things’ who inhabit your household! … Continue Reading

They drive me crazy!

Boomers (in their 40s and 50s) and Xers (in their 20s and 30s) have very different communication styles and needs. In the workplace, they can drive each other crazy. Barrie Bramley provides some excellent insights into why this communication gap exists, and gives some great practical solutions for Boomers and Xers.

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Whining, Moaning, and Achieving: Dealing with frustrated talent in the workplace

In sessions that we conduct on Talent management with both those who lead talent and those who are considered talent everything goes brilliantly until the end of the day when we ask: “So, what are you going to do now?” At this point there is generally a throwing up of hands into the air and a frustrated whining sessions begins. What it basically boils down is the passing of the talent ‘hot potato’ from one person or group to the next. Executives say HR has strategies in place, HR says it is the role of line management, line management says that they are disempowered by top-down processes or too busy with operational delivery to do anything differently…

As we facilitate these sessions we come in first hand contact with the frustrations that sit in this space. This article briefly deals with the conversations and frustrations most commonly raised. It will then propose options and actions that should be considered by the various stakeholders in this dynamic, from executives and other leaders right down to the talent themselves.

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Assessing Wisdom Continuity within your Organisation

Recognised experts in any field often rely on nothing more than a hunch. Time (and hard work by others) typically proves them to be right. Where does that innate gut instinct come from? Can you learn it? Can it be transferred? These are questions that get Aiden Choles interested in investigating wisdom continuity as a critical organisational capability.

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A is for Apple, BEE is for Business. Part 3: The Solution

In the past two e-zines, John Maxwell has outlined the BEE question and the BEE problem. Now, in this final contribution, he focuses on one of the possible solutions to BEE. He is involved with an innovative Trust that is changing how BEE is done, and taking it to where it was intended to be: grass roots upliftment of South African society. TomorrowToday does not necessarily endorse John’s trust, but we fully support innovation and community development. Read and enjoy!

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