Business has changed – it started with the ‘war for talent’, and continued with the ongoing skills shortage and our younger generations’ new expectations. So as leaders we need to involve ourselves continuously in creating a company culture in which our people are happy and want to stay with us.

People who are happy at work are naturally more productive, which impacts positively on individual and company success.

I am a firm believer in a happy culture, and I have seen five main drivers, both at DAV and at many of our client companies:

1. Contribution

All people have a desire to know they contribute to their colleagues and leaders as well as to their company’s success. Let’s communicate on an ongoing basis about how our people contribute to larger company goals. When people see that what they do makes a difference, and that their views and opinions matter, they feel valued and appreciated. At DAV,
we create an environment where we consistently appreciate what our people bring to the table.

2. Conviction

When people keep going even when things get tough they develop a sense of resilience, efficiency and effectiveness. It’s challenging, however, to stay motivated which is how we can help: Let’s keep reminding our people of the ultimate goal and looking for different ways to motivate them. When we can convince people of the value of staying strong, believing in themselves (and their company) and working towards victory, their level of pride and resilience is amazing.

In 37 years DAV has seen difficult times and recessions. I believe what made the difference every time was our conviction we would not only get through it, but emerge better people and better professionals. (more…)

At a mere ten months of age baby Khensani, born with a cleft palate, faces a life of loneliness as an outcast in her community. But this week, thanks to the Smile Foundation and DAV Professional Placement Group, Khensani will receive facial reconstructive surgery that will change her life forever – allowing her to play with her friends, lead a normal life and above all, giving her the ability to smile.

Khensani is one of 15 children that will receive plastic and reconstructive surgery at DAV Smile week held at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg from 21-24 June. These surgeries bring the amount of children that have benefited from surgeries around the country through the partnership between Smile Foundation and state academic hospitals, to about 700. “In Africa, one in 700 children are born with cleft palates,” said Hedley Lewis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Smile Foundation.

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If ever you can’t decide on a guest speaker choose Lewis Pugh. If ever you are seeking motivation from an inspirational icon choose Lewis Pugh. If ever you are looking for guidance in achieving your dreams choose Lewis Pugh. If ever you feel like giving up on your goal choose Lewis Pugh. If ever you decide that something isn’t possible choose Lewis Pugh. And ladies if ever you can’t decide between George Clooney and Hugh Jackman choose Lewis Pugh.

What an experience! When he arrived at our DAV offices in Cape Town it was love at first sight! Easy on the eyes, uplifting for the mind, beneficial for the business and did I mention easy on the eyes? For those of us who are not familiar with the name Lewis Pugh it’s either because we have been living under a rock for the past 4 years or because we know him as “the human polar bear”. He was the first person to swim at the North Pole, at temperatures that would kill a normal person, to raise awareness of climate change.  A polar protector, international speaker, athlete and world-class explorer, ladies and gentleman it’s Lewis Pugh! (more…)

I was watching Waterworld the other day and in the one scene I spotted a familiar face. Someone who in 1995 (the year Waterworld was released) was a relatively unknown extra but through persistence has become a celebrity in his own right with over 90 acting credits to his name. This got me to thinking: if we are as persistent in our careers and he has been surely this will pay dividends?

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Known as the Human Polar Bear Lewis Pugh was the first person to complete a long distance swim in every ocean. He is best known for undertaking the the first swim across the North Pole in 2007 and for swimming across a glacial lake under the summit of Mount Everest in 2010 to draw attention to the melting glaciers in the Himalayas. (more…)

I recently participated in a powerful seminar by Dr Tony Humphreys who came to visit our holding company Adcorp in South Africa with valuable information premised on leading from the inside out. It was an extremely interesting session which prompted much self reflection and analysis. Humphreys prompts an enquiry of society which questions the essence of man’s motives with the epicentre being around the defences that we as individuals create in order to survive and make sense of our world. (more…)

I recently took my daughter to a birthday party at the Egoli Café in Edenvale. A play date delight for parents and their little ones : well-kitted out for parents to relax and have a conversation whilst the energetic youngsters jump happily away to their hearts content on a jumping castle or giant trampoline. The difference with this venue from most others is that there is a “Wall” – a climbing wall kitted out professionally with helmets, figures of eight, climbing ropes and a buzzer right at the top of the wall which makes a delightful buzz when hit by the successful climber upon reaching their goal. (more…)

If you find yourself one of the millions that are personally affected by job loss or have been sitting without a job for a while; you may wonder how on earth you are going to get back any sense of positivity. Beating the Unemployment Blues.

To start out try staying busy by learning new skills, networking and most importantly keeping  your body and mind in good shape.  Positive results = positive attitude!  Try stay away from the things that usually bring your attitude down and bear in mind that people enjoy being around optimistic individuals that look at life through ‘half-full-glass-eyes’.

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