From The Editor's Desk
Life has a funny way of throwing lemons at us, (especially when we least expect them), and then wanting us to make lemonade from them.
This is true in both our personal and business lives. I know that there are so many different interpretations to this very old saying. But, mulling it over one day, it occurred to me that the recipe for making lemonade is lemons, sugar and water. Whatever problems life throws at us, if we sweeten and dilute the problem, we will get through it - and come out better on the other side.
And so, my recipe for "life" lemonade would be - problems, humour and sharing/caring for others; taking one day at a time and not worrying too much about tomorrow; and, working through the problem and not just looking at it and giving up. I'm sure that each and every one of us can think of different ways to 'dilute' problems.
A good example of how we could look at problems differently is expressed in the following story:
A daughter, tired of struggling and wanting to give up, spoke to her father, a chef, who took her to the kitchen where he filled three pots with water. He then placed carrots, eggs and coffee beans in each pot. After the water came to the boil he turned down the heat, took the contents out and placed them each in separate bowls. When asked what she saw, the daughter smartly replied "Carrots, eggs and coffee". Her father asked her to feel the carrots, which she did, noting their softness. He then asked her to take an egg, which after shelling, she observed was hard-boiled. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee.
Humbly she asked what it all meant. Her father explained that each item had been faced with the same adversity - 212 degrees of boiling water. However, each had re-acted differently. The carrots strong, hard and unrelenting, had become soft and weak. The egg began fragile - a thin outer shell protecting a liquid centre - but became hardened. The coffee beans, however, became strong and rich with flavour. "Which are you?" he asked his daughter.
When adversity knocks, how do you respond?
Are you the seemingly hard carrot, but with the smallest amount of pain or adversity, wilt and become soft with no strength?
Are you an egg, which starts off malleable but after a death, a breakup, a lay-off, you become hardened. Your shell looks the same, but you are bitter, with a stiff spirit and heart internally.
Or are you the coffee bean? Which does not reach its peak until the water is hottest, when it just tastes better. When things are at their worst, you get better.
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
(Author unknown; Extracted from the Internet
So, when the world throws lemons at you, may you see the "bigger jug of lemonade" instead of just the bitter-sweet ingredients of your problems.
Jean Slaughter - Editor
Did You Know?
This month we visit a "kingdom" with a long history of both war and negotiation. England, and indeed the whole of the United Kingdom, did not fully recover from World War II (ended in 1945) until the 1960s.
Whilst the United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with an unwritten constitution, the monarch is merely the chief of state. The Prime Minister, is, in fact, the head of Government.
The English are highly individualistic, taking responsibility for their decisions, but always within the framework of the family, group or organization. Individual initiative and achievement are emphasized, resulting in strong individual leadership. They do not find it difficult to say "no" but often this is couched in a polite and somewhat subtle manner.
Business Practices and Negotiation
Objective facts are the only valid source of truth. Little credence is given to the feelings one has about an issue. The English are the masters of understatement.
- Always be punctual
- Businesspeople are normally more interested in short-term results than in the long-term future
- Do not rush the British towards a decision
- Change is not necessarily perceived as a good thing by the British
- The British do not often reveal excitement or other emotions; try to keep yours restrained as well. They also traditionally underplay dangerous situations
- Avoid the hard sell
- It is vital when discussing issues regarding the European Union to remember that the British do not consider themselves European.
So next time you need to visit either England or the United Kingdom on a business trip, we hope that you will find the above useful. In London particularly, where the traffic can be chaotic - always allow plenty of time to get to your appointments timeously, and to ensure you remain calm thereby ensuring that your negotiations proceed smoothly and successfully.
Extracted from "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands" by Terri Morrison and Wayne Conaway
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"The Real You" InterviewLorna Potgieter-Rossetti - Businesswoman and ex Miss South Africa
The Dealdiva™ Graduate |
This month we meet the lovely Lorna Potgieter (now Rossetti) - an ex-Miss South Africa who is now a successful Businesswoman and Event Planner. Lorna is a Graduate of The Dealdiva™ programme.
1. When you were a child, what was your favourite toy? Why?
My Teddy Bear!!! 'TEDDY'. He was my nunu blanket that went everywhere with me!
2. When you were six, ten and 16, what were your dream jobs?
6 - Teacher (I adored Miss Gross my Grade 1 teacher)
10 - Top Sportswoman
16 - Pharmacist (I dropped out of Pharmacy studies after 1st year)
3. What would your mother have said were your best and worst traits when you were under ten years old?
Best… VERY HAPPY child. Worst... Stubborn (I still am!)
4. What was your first job and how much was your paycheck?
Packing groceries at OK Bazaars... Tips only!
5. In one sentence, describe your current job to a five year old.
I organize parties!!
6. What has been the proudest moment of your life?
I have TWO: Winning Miss SA in 1984 and marrying my soul mate and best friend at the age of 44
7. Tell us one thing nobody knows about you.
Hey! I can't do that because then it would not be my secret anymore!!
8. If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why?
A lion - strong and proud
9. What has been the most embarrassing moment of your life?
OH DEAR! Too many to mention! But a recent one was arriving at a big MC function and looking down to discover I had two odd shoes on
10. Where do you dream about visiting? Why
Anywhere and Everywhere... I love travel and I do as much travelling as I can afford
11. What is the most interesting thing you have ever seen?
The 'Northern Lights' at the Arctic Circle
12. What would your partner/spouse say are you three greatest strengths?
Kind, loving and... of course, FABULOUS!!
13. What would your partner/spouse say are your three greatest weaknesses?
He dare not say!!! But I am very stubborn and overly sensitive aannnndddd...
14. If you were a superhero, who would you be? Why?
SUPERWOMAN!!! She can do ANYTHING!!
15. What is the most unusual strategy or technique you have used to get what you want in business?
My femininity (feminity is strength)!
16. Can you share one idea that someone could put into practice that would help them to improve their networking skills?
Collect peoples' business cards and email addresses and keep in contact!
17. What do you do in your spare time to blow off steam or relax?
Soak in a hot bath, get my hands dirty in the garden planting, or shclumfing reading gossip mags!
18. What is your favourite gadget at the moment?
My new fancy Blackberry which I am trying to figure out! (Technology is so not my thing!)
19. If you were given the opportunity to have dinner with one person, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
Princess Grace or Lady Di... GIRLS with stories!!!
20. What would you like to be remembered for having achieved in your life?
Being a GOOD WOMAN!
Thank you so much, Lorna, for giving us insight into the real you.
To read more snippets about Lorna, as well as her fantastic ideas for relaxing, buy your copy of "Work Diva: How To Climb The Corporate Ladder Without Selling Your Soul" by Kim Meredith today!
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Special Feature - From Humble Beginnings...Winfrey on the cover of "O", the Oprah Magazine |
Continuing with this month's theme of lemons to lemonade, we take a peek into the life of Oprah Gail Winfrey, a truly remarkable woman born into poverty to a teenage single mother in Mississippi in 1954. She experienced considerable hardship during her childhood, including being raped at age 9, and becoming pregnant at age 14. Tragedy ensued as her young son died just two weeks after his birth.
Her early years, and ultimately her destiny, were shaped by her grandmother, (her primary caregiver) who instilled in Oprah her love of books. After her grandmother's illness, Oprah went to live with her mother, who was forced to rely on her job as a maid, or welfare, for the income needed to support her young family. Sent to live with her father in Nashville, Tennessee, Oprah's love of books was engendered in the library, and her public speaking days began in Church. At the age of 16 she read Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The book had a profound effect on Oprah, resulting in her turning her life a full 360 degrees around, concentrating on her education and public speaking, and winning a slot as a part-time newsreader, whilst still in high school. She finished her schooling at the age of 17, with a four-year college scholarship. Whilst at Tennessee State University, Oprah received an offer from the local television station to anchor the evening news. At age 19 she was the youngest, as well as the first African-American, news anchor.
After several moves to other television studios, Oprah was finally given her own show in 1984. In 1986 her show was bought by King World Productions, Inc., and became nationally syndicated, the first African-American host to receive same, whereafter she began Harpo Productions, Inc. which, in 1988 bought the rights to The Oprah Winfrey Show.
And from then on - as the saying goes - the rest is history... Oprah is known as an American media personality, Academy Award nominated actress, producer, literary critic and magazine publisher, and also ranked as the richest African American of the 20th Century. She is also one of, if not the most, influential women in the world. Her self-titled programme focuses on self improvement, literature and spirituality. Oprah Winfrey invested some $40 million in establishing the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls at Henley-on-Klip near Johannesburg. The school opened in 2007, amidst praise from Nelson Mandela, for Oprah's overcoming her own disadvantaged youth to become a benefactor for others, and for investing in the future of South Africa.
More recently Oprah publicly endorsed Barack Obama on the campaign trail. It would seem that there is nothing she will not attempt, nor at which she doesn't achieve the ultimate!
Information extracted from articles by Elizabeth Borer (a freelance writer in Toledo, Ohio) on the Internet
Guest Article
Debt can be an overwhelming bondage: weighing you down, and backing you into a corner.
Of utmost importance is that you be honest about your situation. Relieving yourself of the burden of secrecy will lighten your load. These questions will help with the emotions of debt.
Question: Am I in financial trouble?
If you can't pay off all your debt right now or your credit card in full at the end of every month, you're in trouble.
Question: Why do people get into financial trouble?
People get into debt for many reasons, but I have noticed that the lower your self-esteem the higher your debt set point.
If you feel great about yourself, chances are you don't have debt. The less self-esteem, the more debt you create.
Question: What do you mean by "debt set point"?
It's the point at which you finally stop all this credit madness. Terrifying, but also a blessed relief, since it forces you to take decisive, positive action.
But remember, working on your debt includes working on why you're in debt in the first place. Work on your self-esteem, defining rather who you are than what you have.
Question: Are there other personality traits that put a person at risk?
People with large debts often avoid looking at themselves - and their debt - squarely in the eye. Sometimes they're impulsive control people.
People growing up poor and later making good money, sometimes, unconsciously, spend making up for everything they didn't get as children.
People who feel entitled to the good life, or unconsciously copying a parent who lived beyond their means, can be prone to credit card trouble, too.
Impress people with who you are rather than what you have to lower the risk of credit card abuse. Debt doesn't discriminate; it afflicts the rich and poor alike.
Adapted from Suze Ormon's Ask Suze... about Debt
(Extracted from The emotions of debt by Suze Orman)
The Dealmaker™ Programmes - Courses Calendar
Due to unprecedented demand for our World Class programmes, The Dealmaker Programmes Company has scheduled additional courses for South Africa for 2009. Be it Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein or Johannesburg, there is a Programme near you. Please note that there is also a date scheduled for London. See link below.
• Click here to view the Course Calendar online
Don't forget that Private programmes for individual companies can be set up to address the specific needs of organisations wishing to improve profitability or increase revenues. These events, as with all our programmes, are supported by a money back guarantee. Please note that all dates are subject to confirmation.
All The Dealmaker Programmes Company courses are high impact interventions for companies and people prepared to make the investment in order to achieve a significant shift in expert skills and behaviours.
What are you waiting for? Phone us today on +27 (0)11 440 0193, or email enquiries@thedealmaker.com to reserve your place.
Events
Book Launch Feedback - donation to Leratong, Joy for One Foundation
As you may have seen from the photographs, the launch of Kim Meredith's book, Work Diva: How To Climb The Corporate Ladder Without Selling Your Soul, was a fabulous evening and thanks to the incredibly generous support, The Dealmaker Programmes Company was able to donate R3,000 to Leratong, Joy For One Foundation pre-primary school.
What a wonderful experience the morning shared with these little people was. Despite all the hardships of poverty and illness every little face had a smile, thanks to the wonderful teachers - and, of course, Peggy Chauke herself - and the work they do in trying to give these children as normal a life as those more fortunate in the City.
It was so difficult to choose from all the photos taken that morning, but I wanted to share with you some of the happiness, and the sense of safety and security that these troubled little souls have found in this haven.
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Happy faces - Four to six year olds enjoying a class. Thanks to Brenda Bensted-Smith of Ad Talent Agency, who sent along a welcome hamper of fresh apples, and sweets to treat the little ones. |
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Arts and Crafts is always fun for these six year olds - in fact the messier the better! |
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Peggy Chauke is a woman very passionate about her people, and especially about the children under her care. Having started off with a meagre five children she now cares for about 220 - 10 of whom sleep in at the school, the remainder going to relatives overnight. Peggy truly is a remarkable, inspiring person. |
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What a privilege it was for Julie Purkis and Jean Slaughter to hand over to Peggy Chauke the donation cheque of R3 000,00, which Peggy has advised will be utilised to buy heaters for the cold classrooms. |
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Thank you to everyone who made it possible for this donation to be made to such a worthy cause. With your assistance some warmth is coming into the lives of so many. |
I shall be away during the issue of the July newsletter, but wish you happy deal-making in the meanwhile - Jean |
