| Issue 18, December 2003 |
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This is m-news, M Power's monthly e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy reading it. M Power is a communication, consulting and training company. m-news includes information about related themes - six quick snippets about business, organisational and individual effectiveness, communication and public relations. Communication empowers. On behalf of everyone at M Power best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season. Karen Morath, managing director, M Power
1. The second annual M Power empowered people and companies list
1. The second annual M Power empowered people and companies list When we started the list last year, we
defined empowered people and companies as those that make decisions
that are good for them in a context that causes no harm to
others. They don't look to others for their lead yet are inspired
by the leadership they see around them.
The top of the list of empowered
people for 2003 is Jason McCartney, one time footballer and now author
and source of community inspiration.
Jason demonstrated determination and
bravery to make his comeback to AFL football but he makes the empowered
list for his decision to retire after the game. Personal
empowerment is about having the confidence and the choices to decide
your own path.
Amanda Sinclair, professor of
management at the Melbourne Business School, makes the list for
choosing to take a year's sabbatical from a high profile, prestigious
position to learn, enjoy and reflect.
Max Walker, who I heard speak this
week, personifies empowerment. He looks and sounds comfortable in
his own skin, talks about avoiding the 'dream takers' who want to tell
you you can't live your dreams, and believes that communication is what
enables people and companies to get things done.
Communication empowers - why didn't we think of that?!
“Motivation gets you going and habit gets you there. Make motivation a habit and you will get there more quickly and have more fun on the trip.” Source – Zig Ziglar 3. Why have a waiting room? I recently visited the opulent office of a large professional services firm and was asked to wait in 'reception'.
The room was huge and extravagantly furnished. I had the country's daily newspapers at hand and access to a computer connected to an international news service.
I had time to look at what was hanging on the walls - ironically it was company mantra about client satisfaction.
All of this made me think. Why would a client service organisation invest so heavily in making their clients wait?
Surely 'reception' is about greeting clients, making them feel welcome and then respecting their time and getting on with the business at hand.
An organisation's client service focus needs to be felt throughout the organisation, not just be the 'job' of some.
Is your organisation truly focused on the people it serves? 4. Gratuitous plug for M Power In place of the usual shameless self promotion this month is an end of year reflection. I was multi-tasking recently, having a coffee break while having my car washed at a water efficient place, while talking to clients on my mobile, while reading some of the dozen or so magazines and journals I read each month, while taking notes whenever an idea or a thing to do for the growing list popped into my head. The man sitting opposite me was also reading. His book was called ‘The desktop guide to the management of chronic renal failure.’
5. Good corporate governance Good corporate governance comes down to good communication according to international leadership strategist Margot Cairnes, author of ‘Boardrooms that work’. Her research showed that what makes boards work is “a robust culture of candour, honesty and respect; strong people being prepared to put the issues out there and have a debate.”
In her experience as a board consultant, she finds many executives need to learn simple communication skills.
Communication empowers indeed.
Source – ‘Boards failing the talk test’, The Australian Financial Review, November 21, 2003 6. This month's book review This
month's book review is actually a magazine – ideal for beach reading
over summer. Wallpaper* magazine is a global style guide,
purporting to be about 'interiors, architecture, art, fashion,
entertaining, travel'. I
think that for Australian readers it is more of a way of looking into
the future as global trends invariably end up here. By reading
the October 2003 edition, I am now aware of the trend to buy a holiday
house in another city, rather than the country or the beach, the trend
away from spare bedrooms and strongly to 'groom rooms' which are a
combination of a home gym and a wellness centre, and that Beirut is the
holiday destination du jour. While
it is a big stretch to see how this knowledge will impact on my life in
Melbourne especially on my budget, the concepts are bold enough to make
you think about what the world is valuing. Well at least some people in
some parts of the world. I wouldn't buy this magazine every month (especially at $12.25) but highly recommend looking at it a few times a year. © M Power 2003
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