The unspoken skills

Africa will never reach its full potential simply by imitating and emulating management models and philosophies drawn from Europe, American and Asia. It is time we look within ourselves to create our own business identity, which is truly South Africa.

Government and business organizations have acknowledged the need for training to uplift the skills of their employees, but many of these learnerships and training programmes neglect the fundamental understanding of integration of the diverse cultures in the workplace. We need to acknowledge the many sound management principles that originate elsewhere but we need to increasingly acknowledge South Africa's diversity and its social and business culture. This is critical for oganizational effectiveness and for managers and staff to understand the cultural and behavioural context in which they are developing their approach to business in the 21st century.

We particularly need to look at the importance of self and how we interact with others, and towards developing our skills to improve our lives through knowledge and understanding. Assertiveness in the workplace which is a difficult concept for many cultures to adopt, and the role of communication both non-verbal, verbal and when using modern technology, needs to be acknowledged. The unspoken rules of business and social etiquette are not embedded knowledge for everyone.

National and international protocols should form part of every company's Induction Programme and to compliment any companies' Code of Good Conduct.

About the author

Basique Image & Style is currently running a one-day programme on Business and Social Protocol through PRISA. Co-owners, Christina Walker and Andrea Mammes, also offer consulting services covering the whole Skills Development Process, from workplace skills plans to Accreditation assistance. They can be contacted on Tel: (011) 979 2848 or email for a Service Portfolio on: chris.basique@absamail.co.za.

 
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