Darren Flanagan - Ordinary People Doing Above Extraordinary Things
Over the past month I have been attending many of our CPA Congress 2010 events and have been very impressed by the quality and range of speakers but one stands out by far - Darren Flanagan. His was the most amazing and dramatic presentations that I have experienced for some time.
Darren was the leader of the explosives crew that led to the rescue of Todd Russell and Brant Webb at the Beaconsfield Mine in April 2006.
What made his presentation so special was that it came from the heart, it was told with so much feeling and emotion. He painted such a clear picture in your mind, what is was like for the trapped miners, for himself (who 65 times set off explosive to blow a tunnel for their freedom) and for all other that supported what was going on in and around the mine.
His simple use of words and phrases - delivered with the real emotion has left a lasting impression on me.
Simple message here is to keep it simple but tell it like it is.
Darren is an ordinary person, who did above ordinary things but told of the story of the trapped miners and rescues crew to show how just extraordinary these people were !
More About Beaconsfield Mines
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaconsfield_Mine_collapse
More About : Darren Flanagan
http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/explosives-expert/x5wgu31
Celebrating Mary
October also saw a lot of attention given to Australia's first saint - Saint Mary MacKillop of the Cross. I came across one of her saying that certainly showed her focus on issues around leadership "The little crosses are harder to bear than the thumping big ones !" ......just so true.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Global Financial Crisis - Lots of Action But No Leadership ?
At CPA Australia's Victorian Congress, last week I had the opportunity to listen to William Isaac, the former head of the USA Government's Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), speak about the lessons learnt about the Global Financial Crisis.
Isaac was very clear in his intentions, there was a lot of action, a lot of things put in place to stop the slide especially around Wall Street, but not a lot of clear leadership was given. Leaders in the US and around the world created a senseless panic. The GFC was no worse than the downturns in the mid 1970's and early and late 1980's it was just made to seem to be. US Government leaders failed to create a sense of calm, co-ordination and a sense that there was positive leadership in place. One clear example was that Bear Sterns was bailed out and eventually sold to J P Morgan Chase yet Lehman Brothers was not and the situation was made even worse by the negative and fearful comments created by US Government leaders.
In times of trouble, clam, consistent and visible leadership is what is required !
For more information please see William Isaac's book "Senseless Panic : How Washington Failed America"
Isaac was very clear in his intentions, there was a lot of action, a lot of things put in place to stop the slide especially around Wall Street, but not a lot of clear leadership was given. Leaders in the US and around the world created a senseless panic. The GFC was no worse than the downturns in the mid 1970's and early and late 1980's it was just made to seem to be. US Government leaders failed to create a sense of calm, co-ordination and a sense that there was positive leadership in place. One clear example was that Bear Sterns was bailed out and eventually sold to J P Morgan Chase yet Lehman Brothers was not and the situation was made even worse by the negative and fearful comments created by US Government leaders.
In times of trouble, clam, consistent and visible leadership is what is required !
For more information please see William Isaac's book "Senseless Panic : How Washington Failed America"
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Business Leadership in a Connected World
I attended CPA Australia’s Business Outlook 2010 last Thursday there was an excellent series of presentations addressing the regions business outlook and I must say 2010 and the next few years are looking very good.
One of the key note speakers was Dr. Jonas Ridderstrale the author of “Karaoke Capitalism ” spoke on “Business Leadership in a Connected World”. A very interesting presentation that outlined some of the key trends to follow and implement in the business world based upon the new paradigm that the world is just so connected now.
1. The world is getting smarter but individuals are getting dumber
In a connected world group knowledge is growing and expanding exponentially, but for individuals are only growing at linear rate.
2. Centralised Systems are out !
Centralisation of knowledge in books or universities etc is no longer the where knowledge is kept or generated. Google and Wikipedia use the collective knowledge and leverages “group” thinking.
3. Predicting Does Not Help
There is a need to now to react to real time information. Expected Time Between Surprises (ETBS) is now shorter than ever, you need to thinking differently to overcome the surprises.
4. Need to Empower and Engage People
This requires having the right mix of Skill and Will of staff. Organisations need to promote and use people “pluses(+)” and not try to conform people to a “zero” state. People need to feel they are in control of their future.
5. Need to Continually Adapt Your Business Model
Just like the original space shuttle that was on track on 5% of the time, you need to continually look at your business model and adopt it. For example the impact on social media on organisations has been significant over the past 12 months – what has your organisation done about this ?
6. Organisations Must Have Dreams and Ideas
Where do they want to go and what do they want to be. For example Microsoft wants every PC to have their operating system on it.
Very good food for thought as we move into 2010 especially when our business outlook is looking so good.
One of the key note speakers was Dr. Jonas Ridderstrale the author of “Karaoke Capitalism ” spoke on “Business Leadership in a Connected World”. A very interesting presentation that outlined some of the key trends to follow and implement in the business world based upon the new paradigm that the world is just so connected now.
1. The world is getting smarter but individuals are getting dumber
In a connected world group knowledge is growing and expanding exponentially, but for individuals are only growing at linear rate.
2. Centralised Systems are out !
Centralisation of knowledge in books or universities etc is no longer the where knowledge is kept or generated. Google and Wikipedia use the collective knowledge and leverages “group” thinking.
3. Predicting Does Not Help
There is a need to now to react to real time information. Expected Time Between Surprises (ETBS) is now shorter than ever, you need to thinking differently to overcome the surprises.
4. Need to Empower and Engage People
This requires having the right mix of Skill and Will of staff. Organisations need to promote and use people “pluses(+)” and not try to conform people to a “zero” state. People need to feel they are in control of their future.
5. Need to Continually Adapt Your Business Model
Just like the original space shuttle that was on track on 5% of the time, you need to continually look at your business model and adopt it. For example the impact on social media on organisations has been significant over the past 12 months – what has your organisation done about this ?
6. Organisations Must Have Dreams and Ideas
Where do they want to go and what do they want to be. For example Microsoft wants every PC to have their operating system on it.
Very good food for thought as we move into 2010 especially when our business outlook is looking so good.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Long Live Learning !
I was very lucky a few weeks ago I spoke at the ARK eLearning Conference in Melbourne with my colleague Helen Mitchell and our topic was around “Changing Your Organisational Learning Culture to ensure eLearning Adoption”, to engage the audience we opened the discussion with the proposal that eLearning was dead !
To our very positive surprise almost all of the audience agreed, in that eLearning is just now seen as one of many ways to learn and now should be treated in the same vain as face to face sessions or other forms of learning. As one of the most interesting and engaging speakers at the conference, Rob Wilkins from AMP said “You need to be responsible for your own learn, you need to now how to learn and what is the best way to learn, you need to know your own Personal Learning Environment !”
It was good to see that the concept of learning itself is still well and truly alive and that the format in which you deliver this is important but it is now recognised that there are many ways in achieving the same goal.
The theme of the value of learning also continued when I met with the office of Senator Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration recently, on the issue of English language skills for professional level migrants. For the accounting profession it is seen that an IELTS level of 7 is critical for successful employment, but how this achieved can be done in many ways, for example classroom sessions and also on line. Organisations such as Global English have achieved great success in teaching English language skills in an on line format, with self paced learning and on line education with people from around the world attending in their virtual classrooms.
It is not so much the way you learn but the value you get from the learning that makes difference – LONG LIVE LEARNING !
PS : I am off to CPA Australia’s Business Outlook 2010 this week, which includes a presentation from the ex Treasurer Peter Costello …should be very interesting.
To our very positive surprise almost all of the audience agreed, in that eLearning is just now seen as one of many ways to learn and now should be treated in the same vain as face to face sessions or other forms of learning. As one of the most interesting and engaging speakers at the conference, Rob Wilkins from AMP said “You need to be responsible for your own learn, you need to now how to learn and what is the best way to learn, you need to know your own Personal Learning Environment !”
It was good to see that the concept of learning itself is still well and truly alive and that the format in which you deliver this is important but it is now recognised that there are many ways in achieving the same goal.
The theme of the value of learning also continued when I met with the office of Senator Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration recently, on the issue of English language skills for professional level migrants. For the accounting profession it is seen that an IELTS level of 7 is critical for successful employment, but how this achieved can be done in many ways, for example classroom sessions and also on line. Organisations such as Global English have achieved great success in teaching English language skills in an on line format, with self paced learning and on line education with people from around the world attending in their virtual classrooms.
It is not so much the way you learn but the value you get from the learning that makes difference – LONG LIVE LEARNING !
PS : I am off to CPA Australia’s Business Outlook 2010 this week, which includes a presentation from the ex Treasurer Peter Costello …should be very interesting.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
2010 : The Year For Enthusiasm & Connection
Firstly Happy 2010 !
I hope this year will be a positive and exciting one for you. Over the past few weeks I have been on a break and have been very lucky to have time off travelling in the US and catching up with many old friends. During this time I have been thinking back about what are the things that can make 2010 a truly a great year and the two key factors I kept coming back with are :
Enthusiasm and Connection.
1. Enthusiasm for what ever you do is so important. In late 2009 I was lucky enough to attend the Australian Export Awards in Canberra in almost ever case the winners had started their companies with passion to achieve their goal, they started small and wanted to grow. Many started from their back yard shed, garage or office with and idea and great plans and single focus to make their passion a reality. Have a look at the attached link, and read the great stories of success that every day people have achieved http://www.exportawards.gov.au/
2. Connection
No matter what you want to achieve, you need to have a network to support and to give context to what you want to achieve. Connection can come in so many ways via both professional and social networks, and of course family networks. It is something that needs to be worked upon, it is something that also needs to be valued and measured. It can not be just one way - your way. It involves genuine efforts from both sides. Today there are just so many ways in which connections can be made, but in reality it takes time and effort to be turn these into genuine ones - ones that will make a difference.
SABA Learning Management systems actually see that the need for connection will be this years Number # 1 learning need in 2010 http://www.rttnews.com/ViewPR.aspx?PrID=533051&SMap=1
Today many people define themselves by the work they do, yet in so many ways it is not the work you do but the enthusiasm you show and the connection you have with people along the way, as you do your work that really should define you !
I hope this year will be a positive and exciting one for you. Over the past few weeks I have been on a break and have been very lucky to have time off travelling in the US and catching up with many old friends. During this time I have been thinking back about what are the things that can make 2010 a truly a great year and the two key factors I kept coming back with are :
Enthusiasm and Connection.
1. Enthusiasm for what ever you do is so important. In late 2009 I was lucky enough to attend the Australian Export Awards in Canberra in almost ever case the winners had started their companies with passion to achieve their goal, they started small and wanted to grow. Many started from their back yard shed, garage or office with and idea and great plans and single focus to make their passion a reality. Have a look at the attached link, and read the great stories of success that every day people have achieved http://www.exportawards.gov.au/
2. Connection
No matter what you want to achieve, you need to have a network to support and to give context to what you want to achieve. Connection can come in so many ways via both professional and social networks, and of course family networks. It is something that needs to be worked upon, it is something that also needs to be valued and measured. It can not be just one way - your way. It involves genuine efforts from both sides. Today there are just so many ways in which connections can be made, but in reality it takes time and effort to be turn these into genuine ones - ones that will make a difference.
SABA Learning Management systems actually see that the need for connection will be this years Number # 1 learning need in 2010 http://www.rttnews.com/ViewPR.aspx?PrID=533051&SMap=1
Today many people define themselves by the work they do, yet in so many ways it is not the work you do but the enthusiasm you show and the connection you have with people along the way, as you do your work that really should define you !
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Learning 2009 : So What Have I Learnt ?
The last few weeks have been very busy, where I was fortunate enough to attend Learning 2009 (www.learning2009.com) in Orlando, Florida. Over 1,300 learning professionals from all around the world attended.
Three major take away for me were :
1. The discussion around the use of video for learning purposes was very insightful. Yes we already use this media but with internet band width every increasing, the very low cost of equipment and software to conduct interactive sessions, the high cost of travel, then we really need to re-look at this medium. The examples presented, especially one from the UK where piano is taught via video, were just outstanding. My feeling is that with 3D imagining not far away, world experts will be able to teach right in your own work place or home but with a true feeling of a face to face interaction.
2. I was gave a presentation around what CPA Australia was doing with social media, there was very good discussion that broke into 3 themes. One around social media being about network learning and connection – a true open connection, very useful for following an event or a topic amongst your friends or colleagues, another around the perceived high reputation risk of using any type of social media and the last around the now very limited commercial gains that social media can bring.
For me, in the end social media is all about being social!
3. The USA is very depressed. I lived there for almost five years from 2002 and the news reports of increasing unemployment and housing foreclosure were very depressing, especially for a country that only wants to promote “good news”. On a global scale the world needs for the US to rebound, I feel around the world the first quarter of 2010 is going to be very slow for many business.
More information about the event as well as follow up activities can be found on the website www.learning2009.com .
Three major take away for me were :
1. The discussion around the use of video for learning purposes was very insightful. Yes we already use this media but with internet band width every increasing, the very low cost of equipment and software to conduct interactive sessions, the high cost of travel, then we really need to re-look at this medium. The examples presented, especially one from the UK where piano is taught via video, were just outstanding. My feeling is that with 3D imagining not far away, world experts will be able to teach right in your own work place or home but with a true feeling of a face to face interaction.
2. I was gave a presentation around what CPA Australia was doing with social media, there was very good discussion that broke into 3 themes. One around social media being about network learning and connection – a true open connection, very useful for following an event or a topic amongst your friends or colleagues, another around the perceived high reputation risk of using any type of social media and the last around the now very limited commercial gains that social media can bring.
For me, in the end social media is all about being social!
3. The USA is very depressed. I lived there for almost five years from 2002 and the news reports of increasing unemployment and housing foreclosure were very depressing, especially for a country that only wants to promote “good news”. On a global scale the world needs for the US to rebound, I feel around the world the first quarter of 2010 is going to be very slow for many business.
More information about the event as well as follow up activities can be found on the website www.learning2009.com .
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Workforce Trends : 4 Organisational Themes
Last week I meet with Colin Beams from the Workforce Relationship Development Institute (WRDI) which has been doing work for the Australian Government to help identify organizational employment trends in the workforce to help planning for future labor engagement over the next 10-15 years.
Four key trends are beginning to emerge :
1. There will be a more fluid organizational structure, where networks and alliances will be formed between various groups in order to bid for and win work. There will be a rapid increase in the use of virtual organizations to meet the demand.
2. There will be a need for a higher skills and deeper knowledge which will result in
3. A polarization of between skilled and unskilled roles – as the focus will be on what you can bring to the table and being paid to deliver on this.
4. As a result there will be a transfer of risk to the employees, in that more and more workers will be on short term contracts, with a need for these people to be flexible in the hours they work.
The bottom line is those who can continue to be flexible and continue to learning and continually re-skill themselves will be in high demand.
Next week I will be in Orlando Florida, attending the Learning 2009 (www.learning2009.com) where there will be a big focus on re-skilling and flexibility in the work force.
You can follow the conference on twitter by subscribing to Learning2009 and contribute to the feed by using the #L2009. More on all of this next post.
Four key trends are beginning to emerge :
1. There will be a more fluid organizational structure, where networks and alliances will be formed between various groups in order to bid for and win work. There will be a rapid increase in the use of virtual organizations to meet the demand.
2. There will be a need for a higher skills and deeper knowledge which will result in
3. A polarization of between skilled and unskilled roles – as the focus will be on what you can bring to the table and being paid to deliver on this.
4. As a result there will be a transfer of risk to the employees, in that more and more workers will be on short term contracts, with a need for these people to be flexible in the hours they work.
The bottom line is those who can continue to be flexible and continue to learning and continually re-skill themselves will be in high demand.
Next week I will be in Orlando Florida, attending the Learning 2009 (www.learning2009.com) where there will be a big focus on re-skilling and flexibility in the work force.
You can follow the conference on twitter by subscribing to Learning2009 and contribute to the feed by using the #L2009. More on all of this next post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
