02 March 2011

 

A VERY GOOD YEAR!

It’s that time of year when we exhale deeply, and then sit back and reflect on the wonders of the year past. What a truly remarkable one it has been, not only for business and industry, but for our entire country. It has been a year of stepping up our game and showcasing our talent, and of extraordinary energy and passion. As a collective, we rose to the occasion creatively and strategically – the World Cup provided the perfect platform to present ourselves and boast to the world.

During this year, I witnessed an incredible display of creativity and passion. The positive energy of our nation was impressive. The collective spirit seemed to spread like wild-fire through our towns and cities, unstoppable and most definitely contagious. It poured into making it all happen, meeting fervent deadlines and rising well above expectations to surpass world class standard! I proudly reflect that this is where it’s as good as it gets!

2010 also bore witness to the incredible tenacity and resilient spirit of small and large companies alike. Many started the year off with grave concerns and a worrying order book which somehow seemed to last through the middle of the year and over the World Cup period, not to mention through a persistently perturbing international economic climate. We did well to surmount this challenge. Most companies can put up their feet, sip on a glass of champagne and agree that it was, indeed, a very good year!

Reflecting on Ester Kruger’s article in this newsletter, we look forward to a new ending to the year. And as with all endings, we look forward to new beginnings.

Finally I have to share Paul Coelho’s 10-second read posted on his Blog entry on December 7, 2010 …

Tanzan and Ekido were once travelling together down a muddy road. A heavy rain was still falling.

Coming around a bend, they met a lovely girl in a silk kimono and sash, unable to cross the intersection.

“Come on, girl,” said Tanzan at once.
Lifting her in his arms, he carried her over the mud.
Ekido did not speak again until that night when they reached a lodging temple. Then he no longer could restrain himself.
“We monks can’t be near females,” he told Tanzan, “especially not young and lovely ones. It is dangerous. Why did you do that?”

“I left the girl there,” said Tanzan. “Are you still carrying her?”

Wishing you all a very happy, safe and festive season!

Liza Ashton

 


The Bioss International conference held in Richmond, London, provided an opportunity for clients and global Bioss representatives to share thinking, case studies and practices related to the application of an appreciative consulting model within diverse organisational environments.  Case studies shared ranged from interesting applications of the MWR model in the mining and chemical industry to applications within charity and religious organisations, covering a range of topics including decision making, leadership, change management and applied or converted capability.

The conference was a great opportunity to network and share experiences and ideas with global colleagues.  This included many ex-South African colleagues who are now consulting using Bioss tools and models in other parts of the world.  In addition, many useful discussions were held regarding global practices, the role of technology and the Bioss business model. 

Exciting developments include the provision of more online tools as part of our consulting offering.  Apart from the existing suite of EDAC 360, MCPA and LPA, these new developments include the Online Role Appreciationn (ORA) – watch this space!  At Bioss Southern Africa, we extend our thanks and appreciation to the conference convenors for all the hard work that went into arranging this event.

Jacques Haworth, Bioss SA


 By Ester Kruger, Bioss SA

Whether in the realm of business, politics, environment, sport or individual relationships, we have all witnessed many beginnings and endings during 2010. December is usually a time that we reflect on these events and start extracting the lessons (with the benefit of retrospection), hoping to make a new and smarter start to 2011.

Within this context I would like to reflect on a specific case study in complexity and change management that had some meaningful lessons for me and all involved. For the purposes of this reflection, I will call the organisation involved "CARE", to protect the identity of the organisation and the people involved ...

Click HERE to read full article

 


WISDOM @ WORK

From potential to performance and everything else…
An appreciation and celebration of the people, the organisations and the Bioss ideas in Southern Africa.

The Bioss SA Book is a celebration of 10 years of Bioss Southern Africa’s growth and history that includes a composite collection of ideas, practices, colourful personalities and practical application of the internationally renowned work of Elliott Jaques and Gillian Stamp in one handbook! It illustrates the use of core organisational ideas and essential complexity-based principles in an informal and accessible way, whilst acknowledging the people involved in establishing these ideas in South Africa since the 1970s.

As mentioned very aptly in the preamble of the book “… and always there is the backdrop of South Africa itself, where circumstances so often reflected a country in turmoil, and fortunately also a country rich in resilience and the ability to overcome challenges.”

The BSA Book follows an appreciative approach to work. It incorporates topics such as:

  • Levels of work
  • Work complexity
  • The requisite organisation
  • Career path appreciation

The Bioss Story has provided a platform for people to relate their own narratives of involvement and application around the work of Bioss – personal, funny, sad and honest. Reflection and discussion around the practical application of complexity thinking in organisations abounds, especially through an understanding of how potential translates into performance. The focus, as always, is on appreciation, positive psychologies and flow and its link to performance.

We hope that you will enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed writing it.

Wisdom at work is currently available on our ESHOP - click HERE to order your copy.

 

ONCE UPON A LEADERSHIP TIME ... The Felt Leadership Bootleg Transcripts

New thinking about old truths ... announcing the new BSA book.

Have you ever speculated about whether leadership really matters? Or thought about how people really feel about their leaders? Perhaps you have reflected on how leaders feel about leading?  Maybe, just maybe you have wondered about the best ways of leading, or of avoiding the ‘leadership vacuum’ syndrome in working with very capable people?

These questions underlie this innovative and refreshing flight of discovery which takes us through the daily impact that leaders have on organisations. Piet Calitz presents it in imaginative story format, blending the theoretical with the practical and leading the reader by the hand towards an understanding of ‘lived strategy’ and the resonance of a leaders’ influence in daily organisational decision-making.

The contents explore and build on original, but lesser known, concepts of Gillian Stamp.

Hard copies will be available in December 2010 with the EBook to follow early in 2011. Both will be available in the Bioss SA EShop. Keep a lookout for them.

To pre-order your copy of this new book, please email info@bioss.com

 

IRIS TRAINING IN NAMIBIA

I had the privilege to return to Namibian Beverages in Windhoek for a second round of IRIS training during October 2010. 

Once again, the friendliness and openness of the people in this barren landscape made for a fascinating visit and a successful training course. We had an IRIS trainee from Ethiopia join us, which resulted in interesting discussions and sharing of ideas from various cultural perspectives.

My best wishes accompany everyone for their future endeavours. Thank you for a memorable experience!

Ester Kruger, Bioss SA

 

Great way to end a busy year ... a fun-filled Christmas party at Foundation House, Johannesburg SA! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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