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1. The Fuel That Powers Us All

*feature article*

It matters little whether your vehicle runs on petrol, diesel, electricity or some other synthetic fuel, it still requires fuel - regularly. That's because when the tank runs dry the vehicle stops going. No negotiations will help - you've gotta put more fuel in, and it's gotta be the right kind. Same with a pot plant. Keep it in the same pot for years in the dark with little else but water, it will initially stop growing and then it will die. Since humans are organic when you break us down, how can we be any different?

Stay with me a little longer here. It has become evident by a process of exhaustive research that the body requires a complex combination of food, water and certain minerals and trace elements in order to function optimally. It's curious that even with substandard diets, millions of people on the planet are able to survive, relatively productively, even if they are not always at their best. So with some warmth, rest and exercise added, that pretty much takes care of the body.

But what about the bits we can't see - the intangible things. How does a person stay cheerful? What keeps them motivated to complete a mentally absorbing days work, willingly, successfully and with enjoyment?

I have often been asked to motivate groups of people or show them how to deliver great customer service to their customers. But often I find myself reminding those that called me in of a universal truth. No amount of motivating can or will be sustained when your audience is emotionally dead, filled with fear, and toiling on without appreciation or recognition.

In today's work environment it is impossible to accomplish much without the help of others. When I was a boy, my folks taught me a phrase and encouraged me to use it often. The phrase is "thank you". The power of this phrase is immense. It encourages others to do more of what they have just done for you. And it makes us reflect on our own gratitude. It creates perspective.

The reality is that appreciation is a powerful and necessary fuel for all humans. People that are appreciated and feel appreciated perform better. They feel better. They work better, and they also appreciate others better.

If you were to recall the last time you thanked, praised or gave recognition to another person, the paradox is how good you feel doing it. And I hope you have a recent recollection of someone showing you appreciation, and the memory of how it made you feel. It's powerful stuff! We want it and we need it. So how about frequently showing appreciation to those who deserve it? Frequently and enthusiastically, but sincerely. I'm not recommending that you turn into a gibbering head-nodding wreck! Sincerity is the key.

My point is that we all miss so many opportunities to thank other people for the role they play in making our lives easier. The best way to address this shortfall is to create the habit of appreciating others. You will not only add value and enthusiasm to their lives, but to your own too.

Paul du Toit.

2. Seminar schedule

(we define a seminar as a three-hour participative, relevant fun talk.)

Mind Blowing Customer Service - featuring Paul du Toit (Each delegate receives a seminar goody-pack containing a take-home souvenir DVD of the seminar)

Please go to www.pauldutoit.net for information on this affordable value-packed upcoming seminars. The schedule is:

Sandton 2 August, *only three weeks away!*
Pretoria 3 August,
Cape Town 23 August,
Bloemfontein 24 August,
Polokwane 1 September,
Durban 10 October,
George 12 October and
Rustenburg 15 November.

I will not be running this seminar in any of these centres in 2007, so if you still haven't experienced the great value and extraordinary results of attending this highly successful and acclaimed seminar, please join me for three hours that will blow your mind and turn your business around.Go here for a selection of unsolicited testimonials. To book, go here or phone share call 0860 503 191.

3. The Attitude Barometric Survey (ABS)

an advanced organisational climate audit instrument

When staff feel unappreciated they can do strange things. Sometimes they just stop working (modern term - a strike). Other times they go slow, or take lots of sick leave, or disrupt the work of others, much like many of us did at school when we were bored or annoyed about something. The problem is that in business, this lack of productivity can cost companies dearly in terms of lost output and in hard cash. Today of course we understand that there is always a reason for disruptive behaviour. The question is, what is the real reason?

The ABS is a diagnostic tool that measures the mood of employees at all levels in an organisation and uncovers the real reasons behind problematic behaviour and staff dissatisfaction.

Armed with a correct diagnosis it is far easier to know where to direct the energy and resources necessary to address problems. We typically measure around 20 attributes, and the results are presented by staff category and location.

I developed this tool 10 years ago with my colleague, Craig Stephens who, besides being a Master of Business Science, is very adept at turning a bunch of data in to meaningful graphs. Kevin, my IT partner has created a seamless interface to conduct the survey online. My job is the interpretation and presentation of the information. The outcomes are delivered within 7 to 10 days of the last completed survey.

The ABS has been very well received every time we've delivered it. Go here for more info Go here for more info

4. Public course schedule - upcoming.

(All our public courses are aligned to unit standards. Congruence Training is accredited through the Services Seta No. 0522/04/04/05)

All dates, venues and online booking facilities for upcoming courses in Johannesburg and elsewhere on Presentation Skills, Customer Service, Negotiation Skills, Conflict Resolution, Time Management, Stress Management and the Winning Attitude are posted on our website www.congruence.co.za and updated regularly.

5. The NSA Convention, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Just over 5 years ago I thought I'd try my hand as a professional speaker and see if anyone would come and listen. Well over a hundred public seminars later and about the same number of in-house talks, I am fortunate that some people came, and many of them did listen. It's been an enormous personal learning curve and its about to steepen. Next week I leave for the USA to attend the biggest annual professional speakers gathering of its kind on the planet, and I'll be representing South Africa's professional speakers as the NSASA President before handing over to our new president, Billy Selekane on 1 August. There are many things my term has taught me, but if one thing stands out it is this: Your real power as a human lies in being true to yourself, because therein lies the power to contribute. You can not possibly lead when you are trying to be who you are not. And in contribution we find out who we truly are.

Paul du Toit.