WHEN ALL IS DONE AND DUSTED
 The fans are long gone, leaving behind dusty winter streets and a South African psyche of ‘what now?”. What a resounding success the World Cup 2010 turned out to be. In true South African style, we continued to celebrate long after the booming echo of the last vuvuzela tapered off, marveling at the fact that our country could actually pull this off!
South Africans had (and perhaps still have) a long way to go to build confidence and the belief that we are truly capable of competing in the world market. We seem plagued by the misconception that people from “overseas” are more capable, have more experience, are more creative and are definitely more at the forefront of trends, fashion, design and business innovation. In most cases, our confidence in ourselves is sadly lacking. Once you are exposed to the world talent pool and work alongside international professionals, you realize how unfounded this attitude is.
I recently spent time with professionals working in the expatriate market where South Africans are rapidly making their mark on the world circuit. The way in which we successfully pulled of the World Cup pays testament to the fact that we no longer have to stand back and feel inferior. All it took was an opening whistle to prove that we lack confidence and belief in our own talents and capability. If the main idea behind staging a World Cup in South Africa was to change outside perceptions of our continent, a definite surprise bonus is that it allowed South Africans to believe in themselves. Just as our faith caught up with the facts, it got even better. South Africa scored a fantastic first tournament goal; Ghana beat the US to reach the quarter finals; there was hardly a crime to report; and we staged a grand finale event that did us proud in the eyes of the world. And it didn’t stop there, as our dear friend Don Dakin reported on July 18 from Uxbridge in the UK … “Another great day for South Africa so soon after a successful World Football Cup event – Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) wins the British Open golf tournament on Mr. Mandela's 92nd birthday – WELL DONE SOUTH AFRICA!”
In some respects though, after the hype and excitement of the World Cup has died down, we are left with a sense of loss. No more casual Football Fridays or getting off work early to ‘watch the game’. Everything suddenly went back to normal and our old routines have kicked in again. We may have to work extra hard at pulling the motivation and drive together to maintain our confidence and new positive outlook. Many people will reflect at this time, rethink their career path and perhaps be eager to try something fresh and new, more exciting and less mundane, or perhaps something that will make them feel invigorated, motivated, engaged … and dare I say “in flow”. Come on South Africa, let’s keep the momentum going!
Lisa Ashton 
A global debate sparked by recent economic crises has been around the notion of progress. We have been exposed to so many incredible breakthroughs in the fields of medicine, space exploration, computer technology and the like, but simultaneously, breakdowns in relationships between individuals, communities, and countries constantly increase, as does the threat of violence, criminality and war. When it comes to relationships, it seems as if we have not made nearly as much progress. In fact, some might argue that there is a backward trend (Economist, 2009).
Working in various countries in Africa over the past two years has made me reflect on my own traditional view of progress. On the face of it, there is still a lot of ‘progress’ to be made, and contributing to ‘building bridges’ instead of ‘filling potholes’ is really meaningful. On the other hand, where the majority of people walk to get to various places rather than sitting alone in their cars, and where they gather and talk around fires rather than watch television, I cannot help but consider that there are other types of ‘progress’ that others might learn from many countries in Africa – the progress that is made in building your relationship with others and the progress made in spending ‘unrushed’ time truly ‘being with’ other people.
As with all things Bioss, it is not just about ‘either this or that’, but more about ‘both this and that’, with ultimate progress being where one is not made at the expense of the other.
Training in Africa means that we are provided with the opportunity to add value within this apparently contradictory context of standard of living vs. quality of life. We are given a chance to play a pivotal role in building organisational resilience and sustainable performance, but without losing the value of 'Ubuntu’ and community.
Post-training reflections by:
Ester Kruger, Bioss SA 
HR in GHANA – STATE OF AN AFRICAN NATION IN GROWTH
“Go to Ghana on my behalf, attend two conferences and deliver a couple of papers” was the instruction from Liza Ashton to me in June 2010. Whilst the opportunity was as great as the responsibility, nothing could prepare me for the surprise and enjoyment of a free and peaceful Ghana.
Post-conference reflections by:
Yulanda Marais, Bioss SA
Click HERE for the full report 
An article on Talent Management
“All resources are not obvious; great managers find and develop available talent.”
~ Zig Ziglar, Author ~
Never before in the history of mankind has the speed of change been such a rapidly accelerating force. Organisations at their peak on one specific day can decline just as quickly the next if they do not keep up with all the forces that drive their survival.
By Ester Kruger, Bioss SA
Click HERE for the full article
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An article on Virtual Teams
The 2010 Soccer World Cup is now a historic footnote and it is back to business-as-usual. Unfortunately, this also includes road works returning and sitting stuck in traffic. Whilst crawling at less than 10kms an hour in a vehicle that could comfortably go faster than 180kms an hour, I always think about how this snail’s pace could have been prevented. Perhaps there is another way to work that does not begin with sitting in traffic?
By Piet Calitz, for Bioss SA
Click HERE for the full article
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Globalisation has created a context where remote management provides specific challenges for the development of individuals.
Bioss offers a solution in the form of the EDAC (Executive Development Assessment Centre) – a fully on-line and cost-effective solution for managerial assessment which incorporates a 360-Degree assessment (ELDI), Capability Assessment (MPCA) and Leadership Style Assessment (LPA).
Click HERE for the EDAC Fact Sheet with full information or contact jacques@bioss.com
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An article on Change Management
The past two decades have seen major shifts and changes in businesses and organisations. These shifts are due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demographics, increased globalisation, technological development, emerging of new markets, and the development of the knowledge economy where information is a mouse click away.
By Ester Kruger, Bioss SA
Click HERE for the full article 
BIOSS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
22 – 26 NOVEMBER 2010, London
Bioss International is holding a worldwide gathering in London this November. A variety of presentations and workshops will focus on the challenges faced by our national and
Global clients, and on the enhanced services and tools that Bioss will be launching.
We are inviting a broad range of people including Board Members, Key Speakers, Clients, Strategic Value Partners, Managing Directors, Partners and Associates.
Please book your space early if you would like to attend so that we can finalise venue arrangements.
All replies and queries to: Julia White (julia.white@bioss.com)
+44 (0) 7904791743 – UK
+263 (0) 912235392 – Africa
Skype: juliaw8053 
Upcoming public training dates at BSA, Foundation House, Johannesburg SA
Aug 4 – 5: Custodian Workshop
Aug 17 – 20: IRIS Practitioner Accreditation Training
Aug 24 – 25: MWR Job Profiling Training
Sept 6 – 17: CPA Practitioner Accreditation Training
Oct 12 – 13: Custodian Workshop
Oct 18: CPA Master Class Skype Conference
Oct 19: CPA Associate Refresher Workshop
Oct 20: IRIS Associate Refresher Workshop
Oct 21: CPA Practitioner Refresher Workshop
How to book:
Email Elsa on training@bioss.com to make a booking, or
Make an online booking on the training page of our website www.bioss.co.za
Click HERE for information about our flexible, discounted training packages 
Bioss Southern Africa says goodbye to Claudia Coustas who leaves us at the end of August 2010 to pursue a new career, in which we wish her all the best!
We warmly welcome the following new staff to Foundation House, Johannesburg:
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