Blog

2010 - a historic year

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:02

We are at the end of an historic year. In time to come we will remember the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup fondly and hopefully have reaped the benefits from the infrastructure, global publicity, and the numerous new skills that were developed. We should also remember how we achieved this in the same year that Greece and Ireland were “bailed out” of the global financial recession! So we are a definitely can do nation that steps up when many think we will fail. While we are great in taking on new and exciting challenges, if we are true to ourselves I think we will admit we are a little less effective when it comes to routine and maintenance task. Potholes and traffic lights are two simple but “in your face” examples. I remember when I was in my 20s I did a personality test. You were classified as either a maintenance or growth type person. I was labeled as “growth”. It meant I loved new things, new challenges and big picture stuff and therefore I did not like routine, administration and maintenance. Those that know me know this is still true today.  At the time I worked at Eskom and as you can imagine maintenance orientated people were just as important if not more important and therefore certainly very well rewarded.

This comes to my point. I believe 2011 must see the beginning of a maintenance era. The FIFA SWC initiated a rapid build phase which is nearing completion. It’s now time to get it all running smoothly. This is the time for the maintenance people to step forward and for the growth people to also tidy their cupboard and stick to the basics.

You may still be wondering what this has to do with the NQF or you… What I am strongly suggesting is it’s now time to take stock. To consolidate where you are including where you are on the NQF. To start working to ensure your world of work is well organized, efficient and effective. That your clients or/and stakeholders recognise you as a centre of excellence in service. This is also part of learning albeit less formal. Going forward, customer retention must be our goal. In our cases customers are either SA citizens or international visitor (business or pleasure). Let’s all focus on serving them with excellence.