tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23595680157164665222024-03-14T15:09:55.316+00:00Level SevenWelcome to the Level Seven blog you can find our <a href="http://www.level7live.com">company website here</a>.Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-56938944036696968122015-03-12T10:52:00.000+00:002015-03-12T10:52:05.756+00:00Learned Behavior – an AHA moment!
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I recently attended a seminar on Body
Language that was an interesting refresher on what I know but in doing some
preparation for that seminar I learned something new.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">The new fact was that generally, people
walk on the same side of the road that they drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something I had not been consciously aware of
before so I decided to begin my own observational study.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">There are two critical factors to my study;
first in the Philippines people drive on the right-hand side of the road,
whereas in London where I lived prior to coming to Manila they drive on the left and second there are
more people in Manila, per square meter than there are in London.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Armed with this new piece of knowledge I
began to observe peoples’ patterns of walking behavior when in large crowds of
people and yes, it seems that people do generally walk on the right-hand side
of the pavement (sidewalk if you are reading this and not based in the
UK).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no rules about this but
generally there is a two-way flow of people on one pavement and the unwritten
code does seem to be that people walk on the right-hand side, just as if they
were driving.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">So how does this knowledge help me in my
world of training and development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well,
it seems that people are not genetically predisposed to walking on a particular
side of the pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not born
knowing which side of the pavement we should walk on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learn by observing and through experience
particular patterns of behavior that become habitual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course the key factor is that we can adapt
our behavior in unfamiliar surroundings, given a reason, motivation and desire
to achieve an end result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small, but
important lesson I try to emphasize when working with organizations</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> on ‘Change’ issues.</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Now does this all this new realization make
me a better person?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, but it explains
why I keep bumping into people when walking in to work!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gill</span> </span><br />Manila</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">12 March 2015</span></span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-75391108344519517012014-06-09T09:05:00.000+01:002014-06-09T09:05:05.423+01:00How can we attract more women into Engineering?
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><em>On 23<sup>rd</sup>
June 2014 it is </em>National Women in Engineering Day<em> in the UK </em></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.wes.org.uk/nwed"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><em>http://www.wes.org.uk/nwed</em></span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><em>. </em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><em>This
is an opportunity to raise the profile and celebrate the achievements of women
in engineering.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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<em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">During
my time here in the Philippines I have observed that many more women naturally
choose a profession in engineering, which led me to wonder why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently I had the pleasure of meeting and
talking to a very interesting engineer, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dr. Anna Bella SIRIBAN-MANALANG</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Director, Center for Lean Systems and
Management</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";">, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Associate Professor
in Industrial Engineering, De La Salle University, Philippines.</span></em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">GS:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What was your reason for choosing to follow a career in engineering?</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">ABS-R</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My father was a businessman, who was engaged
in engine rebuilding. I was trained early in his shop so I knew
technical stuff even when young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
had an aptitude for mathematics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
instead of choosing medicine or law, I leaned towards engineering. My father
supported my decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went into Industrial
Engineering because it had the most women at that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed the discipline in the
Philippines. Being a developing country, we needed all kinds of
improvements across all sectors. Seeing things from a Systems
Perspective, I knew there are just so many things to learn and do in education,
social discipline, economic growth, industrial infrastructure and others.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">GS: What challenges and rewards have you
encountered along the way?</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">ABS-R</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a great need for industrial
engineers in all sectors in the country. We are a highly creative
people with strong inclinations in the arts, but we have very poor
infrastructures in education, sciences, and industries. Being a PhD
graduate I was able to fill a need in my society, my name often comes up first
whenever a consultant or trainer is required in Lean or Six Sigma.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">GS: What advice would you offer to a woman
wanting to follow a career in engineering?</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">ABS-R</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must love and be excellent in mathematics
to go to engineering. You must have great passion towards changing
technology and foresee the impact to the local and global
community. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue Light";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><em>In
my partner’s engineering consultancy, here in Manila, the key points that Anna
Bella make are supported.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked a few
of the women engineers there what factors played a part in them choosing the
profession, they all agreed it was having a strong role model, usually someone
in the family and a love of mathematics.</em><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gill</span> <br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Manila</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">June 9<sup>th </sup>2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Cambria;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-88608897934306231302014-03-14T15:00:00.000+00:002014-03-14T15:00:32.098+00:00Reflections from Manila
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Embracing Differences</span></strong> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">According to
Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto,
and cited as the third most influential business thinker by Thinkers50 in
London, the current challenge for businesses is to embrace ‘design thinking’. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ySKaZJ_dU"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ySKaZJ_dU</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The central
theme to design thinking is the ability to work with two opposing perspectives in
order to create something new, e.g. asking a creative designer to work with a
traditional organisation to bring about a change in culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine the challenge on both sides of this
equation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, by combining logical
and intuitive thinking processes both of which are essential for design
thinking, Martin suggests it is possible to create a more robust output.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This led me
to reflect on my life here in Manila and how it is filled with contrasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, I recently delivered a workshop
for the Filipino Dept of Education on Coaching & Mentoring for a group of
50, in contrast I am about to run a workshop on Creativity & Innovation for
a group of 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week I was invited to
a ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boodle Fight’</i> which was a simple
birthday lunch for a Filipino friend where the food was laid out on banana leaves
and we sat around and ate with our hands, in contrast I attended an extravagant
charity ball organized by the expat community of ANZA in Manila.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the tag line for tourism in the
Philippines, says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s more fun in the
Philippines”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://www.tourism.gov.ph/pages/default.aspx"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.tourism.gov.ph/pages/default.aspx</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our lives
are filled with many contrasting thoughts and experiences; it’s how we embrace
these differences that will help us to create an enriching life for individuals,
organisations and society. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><em>Gill</em></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Manila</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">14 March
2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-22059870754362018382014-03-05T15:52:00.001+00:002014-03-05T15:52:34.975+00:00Six Years in Business - Part 6 - Moving Forward<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><strong>The Journey Continues </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />In this final blog in our birthday series, we summarise our reflections on building our company over the last six years. What are the key success factors that we believe will take us forward to further success and have relevance for others who are embarking on a similar entrepreneurial journey?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />1.<strong> Flexibility</strong> – nothing stays the same. However focused you might be on your product/service, the environment will bring changes that you hadn’t anticipated. Don’t be afraid, be flexible and adaptable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />2.<strong> Creativity</strong> – be creative in your thinking and approach – </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘every problem has an opportunity’ says Zakorsky <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(<a href="http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/development/a/032303.htm"><span style="color: blue;">http://sbinformation.about.com/cs/development/a/032303.htm</span></a>).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our directors currently operate out of different continents. This was not planned and could have led to the end of Level Seven but we used this as an opportunity to develop the business in a different way whilst still delivering our core services. Innovation is a fundamental part of our business philosophy and this underpins everything that we do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />3. <strong>Resilience</strong> – being a business owner is tough and we need to be able to spring back from adversity stronger than ever if we are to survive and flourish. Whilst our levels of resilience can vary at different points, we can all build and maintain sustainable levels of resilience to keep us strong. You can gain insight into your own level of resilience and make use of some useful free development tools from Robertson Cooper at : </span><br />
<a href="http://www.robertsoncooper.com/iresilience/">http://www.robertsoncooper.com/iresilience/</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve had a great six years and look forward to the next six. Thanks to all our clients, associates, friends and family for your support – we raise a glass to you all! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><em>Dorothy & Gill</em><br />Northampton and Manila <br />5 March 2014</span>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-44158998702720471022014-02-28T11:40:00.002+00:002014-02-28T11:40:36.001+00:00Six Years in Business - Part 5 - Making Decisions - Using Intuition
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Consolas; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Decision-making has fascinated many
disciplines for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From a
psychological perspective, my own interest has focused on the acknowledgement
that different thought processes feed into decision-making at different times. These
processes are commonly differentiated and described as intuitive thinking and
logical thinking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Consolas; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As directors of Level 7 we have had to make
many decisions, independently and jointly. In the early days of
setting up the business I would describe our predominant decision making style
as intuitive. This is because the situations and challenges we faced
as new business owners were mostly novel. We had little or no
context experience and often needed to make decisions rapidly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These factors lend themselves to an intuitive
way of working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daniel Kahneman in his
book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow</i>
describes human thinking styles as System 1 and System 2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>(You may have seen him on BBC2’s Horizon
programme on 24 February explaining this – if not, it’s on iplayer until 4
March!).</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>System 1 is slow, deliberate,
cautious and analytical and System 2 is fast, automatic and relies on
associations and patterns. So, has L7’s style changed over the years? I
don’t <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>think so. Our
preference is still to follow what feels right and not get weighed down with
too much data and analysis. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Consolas; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Intuition will never replace logic in
the workplace and nor should it. We advocate a balanced approach to
any business activity but sometimes the activity can benefit from being
intuition-led, for example business innovation. Imagine the
difference in outcome of a logic led discussion and an imaginative led
discussion about business potential, possibilities and ideas about new markets,
products and processes? </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27WsH2Pc82KZMNSYIhNK9aNU_eH1jRIV6hTTXCHBC2xuKb4OzuZqqvB6-rsA2phNwnl74mx6wBiZr6fcmPNeaZwZxvTFHlB2pefSyTHcdwjYWhI2GwGRNNjT6kjXAjcsrlv1jakB_olU/s1600/MC900441758%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27WsH2Pc82KZMNSYIhNK9aNU_eH1jRIV6hTTXCHBC2xuKb4OzuZqqvB6-rsA2phNwnl74mx6wBiZr6fcmPNeaZwZxvTFHlB2pefSyTHcdwjYWhI2GwGRNNjT6kjXAjcsrlv1jakB_olU/s1600/MC900441758%255B1%255D.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Consolas; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, what is the predominant thinking
style in your organization?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does it need
to re-balance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, what is your role
in making this happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intuition and
creativity go hand-in-hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Creativity starts
with letting the imagination run free, taking time out to explore new ways of
thinking and acting, creating the right environment for this to happen and of
course having fun!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.fastcocreate.com/3026599/industry-pov/innovation-youre-doing-it-wrong-how-to-put-intuition-and-ideas-before-tests-and"><span style="color: #0000e9; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Consolas; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">http://www.fastcocreate.com/3026599/industry-pov/innovation-youre-doing-it-wrong-how-to-put-intuition-and-ideas-before-tests-and</span></a></span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";">Gill<span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Manila<span style="mso-tab-count: 7;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">28 February 2014</span></div>
<br />
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-28564444377926041382014-02-21T12:12:00.002+00:002014-02-21T12:12:37.994+00:00Six Years in Business Part 4 – Getting out There – Networking for Introverts
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the last six years we have tried just about every marketing
technique in the book and spent a fair amount of time and money trying to find
the ‘right way’. Of course, experienced folk will tell you that there is no one
right way: it’s about ensuring that you are approaching your market from different
angles with a range of strategies. As I’ve said in a previous blog, the
relationship building process is key and an important part of that is getting
out there and meeting people – networking. Now as someone who is fundamentally
introverted (a classic ISFJ in Myers Briggs terms), this has been one of my
biggest challenges. Fortunately Gill is an extrovert so we complement each
other as business partners but it’s not about hand holding, as individuals we
have had to establish ourselves as credible professionals in the marketplace.
So, how can we introverts ‘get out there’ and maximise networking as part of
our marketing tool kit? I love the points made in Dave Roos’s <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘How Stuff Works’ article (link below) with lots
of great tips to make networking not just bearable but enjoyable too. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m sure my fellow introverts will find something that
resonates for them but for me there are four particularly valuable points in
this article that I have found helpful: </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Volunteer </b>– be part
of the event, have a role to play to occupy your mind and give you a specific
reason to interact with other participants</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Arrive early</b> –
entering a room full of people can be very daunting. Pre empting this makes it
easier to establish eye contact with others as they arrive. Lingering at the
coffee can be a good way to break the ice.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Magic number</b> –
setting a goal for the number of new contacts you want to meet is a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a broader level plan your strategy - who is
likely to be there, from where, who would you like to meet, and who might
introduce you? </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be interested</b> –
smiling is such a simple and easy thing to do and engages people. No matter who
else might come in the door maintain interest in the person you are speaking to
through eye contact and positive body language. Have some questions up your
sleeve that will help you find out about the person you are talking to.</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://money.howstuffworks.com/business/professional-development/10-networking-tips-people-hate-networking.htm#page=0"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://money.howstuffworks.com/business/professional-development/10-networking-tips-people-hate-networking.htm#page=0</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Let me know what works for you, I’d love to hear from you.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";">Dorothy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Northampton</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">21 February 2014</span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-59000909347819304682014-02-13T15:35:00.001+00:002014-02-13T15:35:17.331+00:00Six Years in Business Part 3 – Building Relationships (or Kissing Frogs)
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this Valentine’s week, it seems pertinent to consider
relationships in business. How can we find our princes without kissing too many
frogs along the way?</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are the heart of
any business. People buy people and if someone is going to buy from us, they
need to like and trust us (See Fogarty’s tips at: </span><a href="http://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/8-tips-relationship-building-business"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/8-tips-relationship-building-business</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).
</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Building relationships takes time and is a delicate
process that needs a balance of empathy and tenacity on our part. On our
journey over the last six years, we have experienced some fairy tale happy
endings and some heartbreak. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of our
disappointments have come from misreading the signs or being led along a path
to nowhere. However, in keeping with our learning ethos and our fairy tale
scenario, we have learned from these experiences. We have kissed lots of random
frogs in multiple pools over the last six years: we now kiss fewer frogs in
smaller pools through more targeted marketing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will only kiss a frog if the frog has
expressed a clear desire to be kissed: our offering is now more targeted based
on knowledge of client needs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liking and trusting each other then become
easier and we now meet many more handsome princes! </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">May you find /enjoy your prince this weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";">Dorothy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Northampton</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">13 February 2014</span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-21939536594015718442014-02-05T15:36:00.001+00:002014-02-05T15:36:39.232+00:00Six Years in Business – and still counting! Part 2 - The Money Bit
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we set up Level 7 in 2008 the economic circumstances were
looking bad: not the best time to set up a new business. At that time we took
advantage of a range of sources of advice for new businesses. One bit of advice
that has stuck with me all the way through is to remember that ‘cash is king’.
You need to have sustainable sources of income to survive. This might sound
obvious and risk averse, but I believe that this has contributed to our
survival and growth during the recession period. The market in which we operate
is a challenging one for a number of reasons:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Establishing
the brand</i> - differentiating a ‘training consultancy’ business takes time
and hard work</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lead
times</i> for winning new contracts from initial conversation to sealing the
deal can take up to two years</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Budgets</i>
for training tend to be vulnerable in times of recession </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reluctance
to change</i> training providers in times of instability</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There will always be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">competitors</i> knocking on doors offering a cheaper deal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the face of these challenges, small businesses need to
have robust strategies and systems in place to establish and maintain financial
viability. These are the ones that I think have kept us in the market and supported
our sustained growth:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Have a
range of services in your portfolio with a variety of price points</i> –
selling large development programmes may take longer in challenging economic
times. Smaller scale services will be more affordable and can help you get a
foot in the door with future potential for expanded services.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Make
sure that the portfolio of services you offer has congruence as your brand</i>
and you’re playing to your strengths. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Have
the courage to say ‘no’</i> if an offer of work is not within your expertise.
Don’t lose sight of your core business – there will be times when you feel
desperate and worried about money and may be tempted to take on work for the
sake of it. I’m not saying don’t do it, we all have to eat, but be clear about
how the work sits with your business strategy in the longer term.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stick
to your pricing</i> – be open to negotiation but don’t undersell yourself. If
you want to be known as a ‘cheap and cheerful’ brand that’s fine as a strategy
but if you want to be seen as a quality provider in your<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>market it’s important to be brave and not be
tempted to cut to rock bottom pricing just to win business.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Employ
a good accountant!</i> Although this is last on my list, it’s probably the best
investment you will make and do this as soon as possible in your business
lifecycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, find someone who is
more than just a good accountant who understands you and your business and
understands the importance of building a good relationship – your success and
growth will support theirs!</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";">Dorothy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Northampton</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">27 January 2014</span></div>
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</div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-43871871520300792852014-01-27T14:41:00.000+00:002014-01-27T14:41:26.558+00:00Six Years in Business – and still counting! Part One....
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another
Birthday <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In this series of blogs I’ll be reflecting on my experiences of setting
up a business, the highs and lows and general reflections on why I’m still here
doing what I do as Level 7 approaches its 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> birthday and our 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
year in business lies ahead. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is timely for me to start this blog as I myself approach
another birthday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think as we get
older, the desire to reflect grows stronger and of course we have more to
reflect upon. In this first blog I will be reflecting
on why I chose to embark upon a new challenge 6 years ago. Up until that point,
I had pursued my early career logically, although not always strategically, up
the ladder of personnel and human resource management into academia and my
approach had always had a strong basis in the need for security and a tendency
towards risk aversion. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, why leave security behind for the uncertainty that self
employment brings?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An age thing</i> –
midlife female fed up with being told what to do and needing to be the boss and
in charge of my own destiny. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rekindling the passion</i>
- corporate roles can be moulded to an extent but as we get more senior we end
up doing less of what originally fired us up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Learning is my passion – not only do I need to
be learning but I need to be imparting that passion to others. The only way that
I could be sure of doing as much of this as possible was to make learning and
development my full time business.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sharing the passion</i>
– the opportunity to work with like minded people who share the passion. It is
not luck that my co director, Gill, and I work together. We share the same
passion for learning and the same drive for success and it would not work if we
didn’t. That goes for our colleagues, partners and clients too.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Domestic bliss looked different</i>
– babies had grown and although they were still around and needed occasional maternal
interventions, they had their own lives. Husband had found fulfilment on the football
pitch with a whistle round his neck, a pack of cards in his hand and a small
notebook in his pocket. I needed to find a new focus for my talents.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So for me making this big decision came down to timing,
opportunity and most importantly a process of self reflection and awareness
that informed the decision to make that change. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having made it, I wouldn’t change a thing.
That doesn’t mean I haven’t made mistakes and I certainly haven’t stopped
learning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The journey continues....</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC";">Dorothy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Northampton</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">27 January 2014</span></div>
<br />
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-73022532620486335742013-12-06T07:51:00.001+00:002013-12-06T07:51:12.287+00:00CelebrationsIt has been an eventful few weeks. Needless to say one of the key events here in the Philippines was the destruction that typhoon Yolanda wreaked. Thankfully Manila was unaffected physically but emotionally Yolanda has left her scars. Of course the International Aid that was forthcoming will make a significant difference in terms of helping those affected as well as helping to rebuild the area. Many collection points and donation points have sprung up everywhere in Manila in order to help the typhoon victims. Local support can be seen almost everywhere.<br />
<br />
Christmas comes early to the Philippines; on the 1st September Christmas festivities begin. What is heartwarming to witness is that many Filipinos have elected to either cancel or significantly scale down their Christmas work parties and donate the money to the Yolanda funds. The spirit of helping is definitely alive and well here. <br />
<br />
This Sunday sees the celebrations for the students of AIM who have successfully navigated their way through their programs of study and are graduating with their well-earned degrees. It will be a proud moment for the students and their families. The celebrations will be appropriate and enjoyed by many. I wish the graduating students continued success.<br />
<br />
Manila<br />
<br />Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-36880435259939365912013-09-13T11:49:00.002+01:002013-09-13T11:49:31.898+01:00The world of work: A child's perspective<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The world of work: A child’s
perspective<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have recently returned from the UK visiting
friends and family and have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our
grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day whilst I was getting
ready to travel to London for a business meeting, my 3-year old granddaughter
asked where I was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained and
she responded, “So are you going to be working like Daddy?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes” I replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What does Daddy do at work?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well”, she replied, “He does numbers,
letters and drawing”. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thought about what she said and of course
when you boil it down, that is really what most business is about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We manipulate numbers that turn into
spreadsheets or financial reports; we arrange and organize letters into
coherent sentences, paragraphs and logical arguments that inform our
decision-making and we might add in a few pictures and visuals to help convey
our messages.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If clarity is our goal, keeping things
simple is important. We can become overloaded with information and our judgment
can become clouded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Innovation is
sometimes driven by the need to do something in a simpler way, so by
looking at a problem or challenge through the eyes of a child whose world is
simple and uncluttered, might help us achieve the breakthrough we are looking
for.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course, it was the last comment my
granddaughter said that made me smile the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In addition to doing numbers, letters and drawing, according to our
granddaughter, our son’s work also involved “cuddling teddies”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a lovely working environment that would
be?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Manila</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13 September 2013</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-81717179560985150292013-08-05T12:15:00.002+01:002013-08-05T12:15:35.970+01:00Innovation Behavior and the External Environment
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As organizations
continue their quest for developing the skills of innovation, one of the areas
they need to focus on is how to pay attention to the external environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in these days of data overload and
accessibility I wonder what strategies people use to keep in touch with what is
going on within their chosen areas of interest.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Level Seven
is involved with developing innovation behavior for leaders, we try to keep up
to date with what’s happening in our specific field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One simple, daily habit I am trying to
cultivate into a routine is to look through Google alerts for ‘innovation’ and
to systematically scan through these each day to look for interesting bits of information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what is it that makes me look at some
stories and not others?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly, if
something in the headline jumps out then I look into that story further but
sometimes I just ignore other headlines.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, it is
not always the story item in the alert that is of most interest but what that
piece of information links through to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example this morning I clicked on a story in the blog section that
was entitled: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">QS Intelligence unit, the
global innovation index: a guide for students</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might well have passed up the opportunity
to look into this further but when reading the blog entry the idea of the
global innovation index seemed like an interesting concept, so I searched this
out and found an interesting resource, link below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the items that are tucked away turn
out to be most fruitful.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.globalinnovationindex.org/content.aspx?page=gii-full-report-2013"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.globalinnovationindex.org/content.aspx?page=gii-full-report-2013</span></a></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reflecting on my
actions this morning has caused me to think about the notion of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">associations</i>” and how the act of making
associations can help not only with the creative process but also with the
innovation process, particularly when trying to associate concepts, components
or ideas that do not have any obvious relationship or compatibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A leader of innovation
has many pathways to follow within their specific external environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some pathways may be known, others will be less
known and some even unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may
never know what we have missed by keeping to the known pathways and we may be
unsure of which of the unknown pathways will yield better results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, developing an ‘intuitive nose’ and developing
the discipline of maintaining habitual routines could help to open up more useful
and insightful opportunities.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Manila Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 August, 2013:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>33 degrees C, Cloudy, Humidity 84%<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-4411699198229980222013-04-20T05:00:00.001+01:002013-04-20T05:00:58.928+01:00
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Japanese culture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">20 April 2013:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>34 degrees C / 93 degrees F, Cloudy, Humidity
46%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I recently
visited Osaka in Japan to present a paper at a conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my first visit to Japan and I was
looking forward to experiencing another aspect of Asian culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first impressions were that it was a very
orderly and clean city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of everyday
life seemed to take place underground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once we had mastered the subway for getting around, we found ourselves
walking within the labyrinth of walkways and tunnels that connected one area to
another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Clearly, we
stood out as tourists in the city and on a few occasions when we were
considering which direction to take, we were approached by a Japanese local and
asked if they could be of assistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One experience that we will remember and seemed to epitomise the
generosity of the Japanese people towards foreigners was one evening when we
were looking for a particular bar where live music was playing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately we did not have the exact
address and so were not in a position to really ask the way, however, in
desperation as we walked past a car park entrance I asked one of the two attendants
if he knew where this particular bar was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He smiled and said he did not speak English very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I too smiled and thanked him and we were just
about to walk away when he indicated we should wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then made a phone call on his mobile
phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only English word in his
conversation was the name of the bar we had asked directions for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then indicated that we should follow him;
we did and he lead us through the familiar tunnels underground and after about
10 minutes of walking we arrived at the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He just bowed, smiled and walked back in the direction from where we
came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just stood there, slightly
dumbfounded and pleasantly amazed at how courteous and generous he had been
towards us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no expectation of
anything he wanted in return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As I
reflected on that experience I wondered if we had put him in a difficult
position by asking him something he couldn’t answer and the concept of “Loss of
Face” meant that he felt he had to respond to our request positively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alternatively, he could have just been a very
nice person who wanted to help two strangers in town that were clearly
lost!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way the impact he made on
us and how we will always perceive Japanese hospitality will always be a very
positive one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When
comparing how we might have been treated had we been foreigners in our home
town of London, we were saddened to think this experience would probably not be
replicated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have vowed to myself that
somehow I will try and replicate this generosity on my return to our home in
the UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One small
gesture can have a tremendous impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
reinforces my view that it’s often the little things in life that can make the
biggest differences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-36031554393750375932013-03-11T02:58:00.002+00:002013-03-11T02:58:42.799+00:00Experimenting with Novelty
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Manila Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Experimenting with Novelty<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">11 March 2013:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>31 degrees C / 87 degrees F, Cloudy, Humidity
66%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It has been about 2 months now
since I decided to start a personal experiment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was pre-empted by being asked to include a session on leading change
within a management development program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I thought it would be useful to remind myself what it is like when
being asked to change something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
decided to change the habit of a life-time by starting to wear my watch on the
opposite hand to my usual hand for more years than I care to remember!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ever since I began wearing a
watch as a child I have always worn it on my left-hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seem to think the reason for this was I am
right-handed and I was told that it would ‘get in the way’ when I was resting
my hand on a table and writing with a pen or pencil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now in the days of rarely using a writing
instrument and using a keyboard to write it probably doesn’t matter which hand
a person wears their watch (but that’s probably a blog for another day).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The novelty of wearing my watch
on my right hand has been interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At first, I was particularly conscious of both the weight and feel of my
watch on my right hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time I
wanted to check the time, I automatically looked at my left hand; although I
must admit that those incidents are becoming less and less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the start of the experiment when I looked
at my new watch-wearing hand, my hand did not look familiar to me even though
my watch is familiar to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few
days I decided to wear a bracelet to counterbalance the fact that something was
missing from my left-hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That didn’t
seem to have any effect; I was still aware that something was missing from my
left-hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So what are my reflections on
this experiment so far in relation to novelty and change?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Motivation
to change is a strong factor in continuing with the novelty that change brings
about for a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Managers can help
people to embed the newness of change by helping people to identify what
personal benefits they will achieve from the new situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Looking for
something that is still familiar about the new situation that was present in
the old situation can be helpful in the early stages of implementing
change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, whilst avoiding the cliché:
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Familiarity breeds contempt</i>, it is
important that people do not then just try to re-create the old situation and
ignore the change around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might
be a useful strategy though with people who are particularly resistant to the
change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
counterbalance effect is interesting. Just like seeking something familiar in
the new situation can be comforting, it might be more helpful to get people to
identify what they see as the gains and losses of the change and then have open
discussions that will help people to minimise the losses and maximize the
gains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have refrained from returning
to my old ways and just wear the watch on my ‘usual hand’ and will persevere
and continue to wear the watch on my new hand until it becomes second-nature so
that I am not sensitive to the weight or feel of my watch and the change is now
the ‘old situation’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-21829753399547819622012-12-19T11:09:00.002+00:002012-12-19T11:09:22.219+00:00The World is shrinking, Culture is important.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The World is shrinking – Culture is
important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">19 December 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">84 degrees Fahrenheit, Partly cloudy,
Humidity 75%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As we wind down the year, I
reflect on what seems to have been an eventful time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began the year living and working in London
and am finishing the year living and working in Manila.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been here for 7 months now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How quickly events come to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I thought I would reflect on my
last 2 months which have been the most interesting for me from a work /
business point of view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I joined the main faculty of the
Asian Institute of Management on 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> October, 2012 and am still
finding my way around being part of a new organization and their way of working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the highlights for me have been:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Realising and
experiencing the true meaning and effect of culture on business and everyday
life through total immersion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hofstede’s
work on cultural dimensions is proving invaluable as a Brit, living in the
Philippines and delivering programs across a variety of Asian countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Delivering ‘People
Development’ modules on AIM’s MBA program and appreciating at first-hand the
differences that exist between Western and Eastern values.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To have had
an opportunity to travel to India to be part of a team working with a large US
owned financial company that has operations there and to be struck by the
enthusiasm and passion for learning shown by all the participants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To be
invited to be part of a group at AIM whose objective is to research and develop
leadership concepts and frameworks that are specifically relevant for leaders
and managers in Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To be
collaborating with an AIM colleague on a research paper that is looking at
personality and social media connections and to have had that paper accepted for
presentation at a conference in Japan early next year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I continue to support the UK
Operations of Level Seven where appropriate, particularly around our innovation
diagnostic framework (the LID™) and to look for consultancy opportunities for
Level Seven here in Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Partnerships,
connections and collaboration seem to be at the heart of doing business here,
of course, not that different from doing business in the UK except a cultural
lens needs to be applied!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With good wishes to all for success
and lasting friendships in the coming year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Maligayang Pasko Po!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-89291851304561868692012-09-21T08:45:00.001+01:002012-09-21T08:45:58.813+01:00
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Same challenges, different contexts <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">20 September 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">30 Degrees Centigrade; Humidity: 70%; Mostly
cloudy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s been a while since I wrote
for our blog and am sorry I have not been able to maintain the weekly
discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am feeling I have
something more worthwhile to say about my life here in Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst I have met some lovely people in a
social context, I have been yearning to get back to a more fulfilling role
within a working / business context.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am at last happy and pleased to
announce that I will be joining the full-time faculty of the Asian Institute of
Management or AIM (</span><a href="http://www.aim.edu/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">www.aim.edu</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">) a respected Graduate Business School as an
Associate Professor here in Manila, Philippines with effect from 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
October 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still very much
involved with Level Seven <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(</span><a href="http://www.level7live.com/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">www.level7live.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">) back in the UK which is being superbly
managed by my business partner Dorothy and a team of valued associates and
am hoping that opportunities will present themselves for joint ventures between
these two organisations in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Asia is becoming a vibrant place
for business to flourish both for local Asian businesses as well as
international companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact the
CIPD (</span><a href="http://www.cipd.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">www.Cipd.co.uk</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">) has recently published a survey that
focuses on Learning, Talent and Innovation in Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the key findings of the report
include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Talent
Development is buoyant and focuses on retaining key staff, developing
high-potentials and growing future senior managers and leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A high
proportion of Asian countries believe they will be a net exporter of talent in
the future which could result in skills shortages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Coaching and
mentoring appear to be popular strategies for developing managers and raising
skills generally.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Leadership
skills are critical for leading and managing change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Innovation
and creativity also appear to be critical for business success but implementing
innovation strategies is being hampered due to a lack of resources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you are reading this in the UK
you may well agree that the above findings resonate with the challenges your
organisation is facing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, worldwide we
have similar issues but the context in which those issues occur is different,
specifically the context of national and local cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am looking forward to embracing
my role at AIM and the learning I will gain from working within a truly
multi-cultural organisation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will
starting a new job in Manila bring the same challenges as starting a new job in
the UK?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be happy to share my
insights with you as this aspect of my life progresses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-53240500306932336032012-07-31T12:34:00.000+01:002012-07-31T12:34:28.505+01:00It's Team Time!<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At a time when the Olympic
Games are all pervading, our thoughts have turned to team working. It’s captivating
to watch our athletes working together, striving for peak performance. How do
they really perceive the balance between the euphoria of winning and the pride
in taking part? To a large extent this will depend on the original goal - whether
medals are a realistic prospect or not and how participants are then able to
learn from their performance and take positives into the longer term from short
term disappointment. Transposing this line of thinking into organisational
life, the euphoria of winning equates with achieving stretching team goals that
bring rewards for the team and help make the organisation successful. Pride in taking
part resonates with the strong relationships that can endure longer term and pride
in the company and employer brand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Looking at our Level
Seven ‘7 Steps to Effective Team Work’ (</span><a href="http://bit.ly/QdOhsP"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">http://bit.ly/QdOhsP</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">)
in the context of the Olympics, they are clearly relevant to sport
as well as to business. </span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are our thoughts –
let us know what you think:</span></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step 1 – Create a common sense of purpose </b>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> from ‘going for gold’ to ‘doing our
absolute best’ </i></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step 2 – Communicate </b>– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">verbal, physical, emotional; before, during, after</i></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step 3 – Commitment to each other </b>– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the team is all; no blame; sharing glory and
disappointment</i> </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step 4 – Take calculated risks </b>– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">exploring and supporting innovation</i> </span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step 5 – Learn from setbacks </b>– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reflection, analysis, energising change</i></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step 6 – Build on success </b>– c<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">elebrate the highs, acknowledge the lows and grow stronger</i></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Step 7 – Create space to learn and grow </b>– o<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ngoing philosophy of continuous improvement</i>
</span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Go for it Team GB!!<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our UK Correspondent<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-79676250512180895222012-07-20T09:36:00.001+01:002012-07-20T09:36:27.226+01:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Experiential
Learning<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">20 July 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">79 degrees Fahrenheit, scattered thunder
storms, Humidity 90%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am pleased to report that
notwithstanding a number of formalities I hope to soon be joining the faculty
of the Asian Institute of Management </span><a href="http://www.aim.edu/"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">www.AIM.edu</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>during my stay in
Manila.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My responsibilities will include
delivering corporate programmes to a range of AIM clients as well as delivering
inputs into degree programmes such as MBA and Masters in Management
programmes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also have the opportunity
to undertake some collaborative research and write this up for
publication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, part of my
time will be promoting joint consultancy opportunities between AIM clients and
Level Seven’s portfolio of services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Level Seven’s leadership and talent
development programme, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Putting Your
Talent to Work</i> is based on the notion that experiential learning is an
effective way for adults to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have the opportunity to engage in this methodology first hand when joining AIM
as I believe I will learn more about myself, culture and management and
leadership style experientially through taking up this post with AIM than
merely sitting on the sidelines of expat life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I anticipate a start date in
early August and so am using this time to expand my social network, learn how
to play mah-jong, as well as indulge in some thinking about possible research
ideas and workshops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All positive
activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Weather is still variable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a tremendous storm last Friday and I
have heard murmurings today of a typhoon about to strike!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our Correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-17496291601694643922012-07-06T08:15:00.000+01:002012-07-06T08:15:26.192+01:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Being or
Doing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6 July 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">82 degrees Fahrenheit, Scattered Thunder
Storms, Humidity 76%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s been a week of ups and downs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ups relate to emerging positive
opportunities to do with work and business, the Downs are that each situation
is taking longer to progress than I would have thought and therefore causing
some anxiety and frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this
down-time has given me space for some deep reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I thought I would take some
time-out and follow my instincts in terms of what I would do each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This reminded me of the debate that sometimes
comes about when talking about the difference between ‘Being’ and ‘Doing’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that often when asked to describe who
I am I usually end up describing what I do as for me my identity is strongly
linked to what I do and in most social situations (rather than academic
debates) this is the sort of answer that is expected to the question, who are
you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With some time on my hands I
tried a little experiment these last two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have tried to just ‘Be’ in the world, i.e. not worry too much about
taking specific actions (Doing) and actually just trying to go with the
flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, unless I sit still and
contemplate or meditate then I have found that trying to ‘Be’ is intrinsically
linked with what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it seems that
Being and Doing have a causal relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, what I have found that is interesting is that in trying not to
worry too much about what I am doing has released my thinking process and
allowed me moments to think about my thoughts and reflect on what these could
mean in terms of possible future actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have also been able to become a keener observer of what is going on
around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My feelings in the first week of
this experiment of anxiety and frustration seem to have now taken a back seat
and I am feeling more at ease with both my current and potential situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ability to ‘let go’ has been liberating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My conclusions are that I feel
fortunate to have had this luxury of being able to take time out from what
would normally be a busy schedule but the benefits resulting from having some ‘thinking
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>time and space’ may well enhance
different areas of one’s personal life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would recommend taking time out even if only for short bursts, as it
does help to re-charge the batteries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And finally, the weather, it is
still very hot with longer bursts of rain but with the rain comes a cooler temperature
and I’m all for that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our Correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-80994036457969197422012-06-22T10:28:00.001+01:002012-06-22T10:28:05.870+01:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Open or
Direct<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">22 June 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">90 degrees Fahrenheit, Partly Cloudy,
Humidity 83%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Something I’ve come to notice is
how open or direct Filipino people can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example, when meeting someone for the first time, I smile at some of
the questions I am asked about myself and my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently this is just a way of getting to
know you and actually I don’t find anything wrong with this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have also noticed that it is
not just Filipino people who engage in this past-time here in Manila. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been struck by the number of strangers
(non-Asian people) who strike up a conversation with me in the street and
almost immediately I have swapped some personal details with them which if I
was back in the UK I would probably not be so willing to divulge to someone I
have just met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think in this situation
it could be something to do with familiarity (a European / White face among a
crowd of Asian nationalities) and a feeling that this person could be a
potential friend / acquaintance / source of information, etc<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It reminds me about Will Schutz’s
theory about the development of interpersonal relationships (FIRO) and how our
needs for Inclusion / Control and Affection (Openness) are met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the theory these needs are met
in a sequential way, after our needs for inclusion or involvement are met then
the relationship goes onto deal with issues of control and once these are
satisfactorily dealt with the relationship is able to deal with how open or
affective the relationship can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is why sometimes, Team Building events get off to a challenging start because
the event goes straight into dealing with openness without first taking the
time to address issues of inclusion and control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Either way, I am getting to
accept that culturally what I would normally think of as directness can be just
another way of accelerating openness within a relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And finally, the weather, it is
still very hot and sticky!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our Correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-57348514084911197172012-06-18T13:40:00.000+01:002012-06-18T13:40:41.163+01:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Culture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">18 June 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">91 degrees Fahrenheit, Partly Cloudy,
Humidity 77%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Culture is a word that often
finds its way into discussions in the world of Leadership and Organisational
Development and in my working experience as a Consultant I have been involved
in trying to help organisations and teams develop or change their culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living and working in the UK I have had
little exposure to the effect of national culture on organisational culture as
I have usually been part of the majority, not the minority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, now that I am immersed in a different
culture to that which I have been used to is giving me a lot to think about as
a developer of leaders and talent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I had the privilege recently to
attend a seminar delivered by a Filipino University Professor aimed at HR
professionals on how to assess organisational culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the only European, female in
attendance, I was definitely in the minority but was welcomed into the group
through the use of warmth and humour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
learned a lot about Filipino culture both from listening to the discussions as
well as from the actual experience of being there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, we started the seminar with a
prayer which everyone participated in; what in the UK would be a mid-morning break
with coffee and biscuits turned out to be more like lunch and the seminar was
delivered in a mix of English and Filipino languages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some of the discussions focused
on the challenges faced when trying to merge organisational culture with national
culture and the message I took away is that national culture will tend to over-ride
organisational culture and understanding and sensitivity to these issues are
critical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phrase which has stayed
with me is, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Think Global, Act Local</i>: A
useful phrase that Managers and Management Developers could usefully embrace to
help minimise conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our Correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-77756292459521061952012-06-08T09:52:00.001+01:002012-06-08T09:52:43.921+01:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Opportunity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8 June 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">86 degrees Fahrenheit, Partly cloudy,
Humidity 83%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This week has been one of
opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This has caused me to reflect on
- do we ‘take’ opportunities or do we ‘create’ opportunities?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we do a bit of both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking an opportunity implies that something
has been offered to us or created for us and we are the grateful recipient of
something useful to us; creating an opportunity implies we have been purposeful
or self-motivated to take action that might provide us or someone else with
something gainful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The former suggests
we are passive and wait for opportunities to float by, the latter suggests we
need to be proactive, take responsibility and be responsible for the
consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A friend one called me opportunistic
but went to lengths to explain that she felt that was a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to agree, I have always been open to
opportunities, both taking and creating, but I think the difference for me has
been that it has been easier to pick up on something created by another and to
use it to my advantage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This week I created an
opportunity that may be very beneficial not only to Level Seven’s presence here
in Asia but also for me personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, it is too soon to say whether the opportunity will yield the
results I would hope for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On reflection of why it felt easy
to take the action I did; these are my conclusions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt I had nothing to lose, I was at a
point that I needed to have a purpose for action for my self-worth and for the
business and I felt confident that I had something to offer and I didn’t think
too long about what I was doing (i.e. I did not analyse the situation for too
long but acted on an evidence-based impulse).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Of course this situation and ultimate decision only concerns a few
people; sometimes opportunistic action may affect a greater number of people
and the consequences may be more far reaching but unless we have the courage to
develop and act on a level of self-belief we may be in danger of missing out on
all manner of things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My challenge to you is to develop
your opportunity spotting antennae and to be courageous and act on it when you
believe it is right to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our Correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-81881793567358749802012-06-01T10:41:00.002+01:002012-06-01T10:41:59.063+01:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Having a
purpose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">86 degrees Fahrenheit, Scattered
thunderstorms, Humidity 82%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have spent this week setting
myself small objectives, all with a common purpose, either to achieve something
around the domestic or personal side of things or to think of some ideas that
will contribute to Level Seven’s presence here in Manila.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always found a way to self-motivate
has been to think about the word ‘Purpose’ and how it can help me to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Regrettably I have not made much
progress on the business front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
waiting for a number of things to happen (or am I just procrastinating?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>such as the Broadband to be installed and
membership information from the Chamber of Commerce which in my mind will mean
I have a focus and purpose for communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do, however, feel as though we area starting up a new business and all
the challenges that go with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one
advantage I have on my side though is experience in that I can recall what it
was like setting up Level Seven years ago and how enthusiasm and optimism
carried us through many an unsettling time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Networking will play an even
bigger role in getting to know people and how specific business practices work
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I am currently formulating an
idea that will help to position Level Seven generally so that individuals and
organisations can understand what we have to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will relate more on that when I have a
firmer view on things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lastly, the Manila Women’s
Association coffee morning enabled me to learn about life in Manila and to find
a useful source of helpful information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Of course, I cannot sign off
without commenting on the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rainy season is just around the corner, we’ve had a couple of real downpours
and I can only imagine what it will be like when the rain is more
plentiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the plus side though, it
does get cooler after the rain!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our Correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-59513391829402620232012-05-25T13:04:00.001+01:002012-05-25T13:04:10.161+01:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Taking
things for granted<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">25 May 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">90 degrees Fahrenheit, Partly cloudy,
Humidity 81%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Taking things for granted is a
theme that I have reflected on this week; having a good night’s sleep without
waking up feeling like I am sleeping in a sauna, being able to get into my car
and drive to where I want to go and keeping in touch via the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All these things I had become used to in the
UK and had taken for granted but now living in Manila means that I need to
adapt and change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sleeping with the air
conditioning on is now becoming the norm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We gave in the other night and kept it on low and it was bliss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slept through the night and woke up feeling
refreshed and full of energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t
realised how much the temperature drains my energy levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the day I try to walk to places but
again the heat seems to get the better of me so I have to rely on taxis to get
me around, particularly when doing everyday things like going shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a problem but it is sometimes
quicker to walk because of the volume of traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At certain times of the day, Makati gets
grid-locked and it is more frustrating sitting in a hot car, not moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, we are waiting for our Broadband to
be installed and so I have to rely on wi-fi locations in coffee shops for the
time being.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My biggest frustration this week
has concerned directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m slowly
getting used to the fact that the address someone gives you bears no relation
to the actual location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, I
had to find the Philippine equivalent to BT and armed with the address being ‘Ayala
Avenue’ I mistakenly thought the building would be along that street; but no,
the actual building was tucked away at the back of the main avenue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I experienced the same situation when meeting
someone at a coffee shop, the address I was given bore little relation to the
actual site of the coffee shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
the address acts purely as an indicator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No harm done, at least I am getting familiar with the area in which we
are living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lesson that this has
taught me is that communication is key.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I need to have a better strategy for checking understanding (both mine
and the person I am communicating with).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On the plus side though, it’s
nice to feel we have moved into a more permanent place with more space and even
after a week am feeling more settled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I shall be attending my first
Ex-pat Woman’s forum coffee morning next Monday and am keen to find out how
such groups work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone has been very
welcoming with friendly emails and I am sure I will be able to find answers to
some of my more basic questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To keep
things in balance, we’ve been invited to a Filipino Karaoke evening this
Saturday which would not be my usual choice for an evening out but nevertheless
I think it will be entertaining!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My goal next week is to shift the
focus from domestic issues onto business ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our Correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359568015716466522.post-38817094518908975112012-05-18T08:24:00.000+01:002012-05-18T08:24:39.561+01:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Manila
Diaries<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Settling In<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">18 May 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">88 degrees Fahrenheit, Cloudy, Chance of
thundery showers, Humidity 70%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s been a frustrating week
concerning the process of finding somewhere to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using the services of a broker seemed to have
slowed everything down and ended up with us losing out on two apartments, so
taking things into our own hands and on the advice of others, we decided to
‘do-it-ourselves’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have just signed a
contract today for an apartment that suits our needs with some additional
benefits that we had not even considered, such as a reduced membership to the
Makati Sports Club.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Again referring to Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs, having now met the basic needs of shelter and safety, I
thought I could move onto working on the psychological needs of relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I decided to apply to join the British
Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines to start the networking process and to
shift my focus onto business issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I attended an interesting event
about the growing sector in the Philippines of Business Process Outsourcing or
BPO as it is commonly referred to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
scope of this sector seems to offer advantages for companies wishing to
outsource to the Philippines as well as creating employment opportunities for
local people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The speakers discussed the
issues of recruitment, retention and development, not so different from the people
management needs expressed by UK organisations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It will be interesting to know whether solutions that seem to bring
about positive results in the UK could have a positive impact here in the Philippines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, I have met some very
interesting and genuine people wishing to help with my queries, questions and
concerns and all of whom have made me feel very welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Signing off for now<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our Correspondent in Manila<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>Level Sevenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17859854200151089489noreply@blogger.com0