2011 - A Year of Possibility

by Johan Greeff: MD Treetops Consulting

2010 World Cup legacy
Last year’s World Cup gave South Africa a focus point. In the year building up to this event, there was an immense and tangible excitement in South Africa. People could see and experience the changes in the South African Landscape.

Gauteng became one massive construction site given all the infrastructure development: stadiums, roadworks and the Gautrain. Great debate was sparked: “Are we in over our heads? Will we be able to deliver?”

Then it happened! We did it! Everybody stood in awe of the magic of our country as we ‘wowed’ the world. Some said the “best world cup ever”. But before we know it, the world cup had come and gone.

Post-World Cup a lot of us may have felt like a “dazed boxer” recovering from a punch. People still bathed in the euphoria, but we all felt a bit lost and unfocused too. The big question we are all faced with now is – “Where to from here?”

2011 is upon is!
We at Treetops are excited about this year and realise that everybody now appreciates that the World Cup was just an event and a springboard to a bright and more exciting future. The World Cup showed us that success will only come through hard work.

Before we look at the year ahead, I believe we need to honour the year that we left behind.

Highlights 2010
1.Director’s Forum:
In January 2010 we had 20 Managing Directors and Executives at Treetops for an MD Forum. It sparked immense debate and created shared appreciation of the mutual challenges leaders face. It was a great opportunity to network with fellow executives.

2.Organisational Resilience and Strategic Alignment:
During June and July we had the privilege to do some work with Norman Chorn from Australia on this important topic.

3.Lecture to Wits MBA Alumni:
During August I was invited to lecture to the Wits MBA Alumni on Executive Coaching. It was a wonderful evening with fellow professionals.

4.Lecturing at Wits Economics and Management Faculty:
Lucille was invited to guest lecture on Reinventing Management with 3rd year and Honours students in Marketing and Management Science

5.Assessment Centre Study Group:
In March we presented a ground-breaking paper on ‘Enabling Assessment Centres for People with Disabilities’ – suggesting ways in which Assessment Centres can be made more accessible to people with disabilities.

6.Mentorship Publication:
The SABPP (South African Board of Personal Practitioners) is publishing a book on ‘Lessons from 40 Senior Members’ and I was invited to participate.

7.Aurecon LDP:
Aurecon is now truly an international player in the Consulting Engineering environment. Our continued involvement with their Accredited Leadership Programme is an honour and privilege.

8.Networking:
Our association with Symphonia is growing Treetops and Symphonia share the belief that South Africa needs opportunities for different generations to share their wisdom. Watch this space for Inter-Generational Wisdom Sharing.

9.Nine Conversations in Leadership:
Lucille is now an Accredited Facilitator for this wonderful Leadership, Team and Organisation intervention.

10.Khula Project:
This is an exciting project that enhances Business Acumen for workers and managers on all levels in the form of a business simulation. We are especially excited about the results within Agriculture

Personal Front
On the personal front Judy was successful in passing her HPCSA Board Exam. We wish Alene good luck with her exam this February!

Laura is again the Lady’s Champion in the Porsche Time Trials Series. Johan managed to win his class and is one of the Top 5 in the Driver of the Year competition.

2011 Year of Possibility
1.Treetops Network Day:
We kicked off the year with the Annual Treetops Network Day and were privileged to host more than 30 of our colleagues at Treetops. The World Café facilitation process allowed for intense and meaningful debate around HR and OD in South Africa.

2.Flawless Consulting:
This is the topic I am most excited about. I will be spending time with Peter Block in the USA during April to complete the final steps to becoming a Flawless Consulting Facilitator. This is truly an amazing product that empowers people to communicate and contract more meaningfully within specialist roles and matrix organisations.

3.BSSA partnership for Treetops MDP:
Our MDP will be running as a registered and accredited programme with the Business School of South Africa this year. Contact us if you would like more information about this!

4.Lucille is embarking on her PhD studies in Organisation Behaviour with the UP focusing on Reinventing Management.

At Treetops we look forward to partnering you and your team in your journey of transformation. May this year hold as much excitement and Wow! For you as 2010 did, even if it is a year without a Soccer World Cup:)We also look forward to opportunities to connect, not least of all at the regional SAODN meetings every month.