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Age of Options

There is an interesting workshop at Harvard Business School called Age of Options according to Bob Buford in his book Halftime. The purpose of this workshop is to ensure participants

that their next career phase is fulfilling and imbued with purpose.

It helps participants reassess their career development paths and define future choices in terms of personal needs and inclinations.”

75 years ago

My parents and their peers grew up during the time of the Great Depression in the 1930’s and started working toward the end of WW2. People ... continue reading

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Never say never

road, blue sky, cloudsJust because somebody has a senior position, does not mean they know everything.

Predictions

In 1899 Charles H. Duell, the US Commissioner of Patents said

Everything that can be invented has been invented.

Yet, at present more patents are registered in one year than during the whole of the 19th century.

But miscalculating future events was not reserved for Charles Duell alone. Many others have also predicted future trends with a serious lack of vision.

An executive from the world’s leading telegraph company in 1876 said “The telephone has too ... continue reading

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Hallo Darkness… but you’re not my friend

During the past week my wife and I were in a retail store when at noon the whole place suddenly turned dark. Immediately all the customers had to leave the store and the doors were closed for the next two and a half hours.

We still planned to visit a coffee shop afterwards, but then rather went home. The retail store and the coffee shop both missed out on our business that day and till now we have not returned. I believe this is just one very small example of ... continue reading

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Game plan

Plan Green board Footbal

Plan Green board FootbalAfter some of the rugby matches during the past tour of the Springbok rugby team to the Northern Hemisphere, people speculated about the Boks game plan and whether there was one at all.

Second Half

We all know about games where a team being miles behind at halftime, came back during the second half to win the game. Then we would often speculate about what the coach told them in the cloak room during the break.

A game plan therefore boils down to a good deal of planning for what ... continue reading

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4th Industrial Revolution

Revolution Industrial Cars Manufacturing Machines Automation Production

Revolution Industrial Cars Manufacturing Machines Automation ProductionNews 24 recently reported about Standard Bank’s intention to lay off 528 employees. This huge lay off is the result of increased digitization and the use of artificial intelligence in the banking industry.

The trade unions are understandably highly upset, yet their spokesperson said that they realise that some jobs over time will disappear whilst new ones will be created. Unfortunately fewer jobs will be created than the ones being made redundant.

Fewer jobs

According to Standard Bank the 528 employees are welcome to apply for 349 existing and new ... continue reading