Friday, February 16, 2007

The little people in Penang

The employees knew that something was coming, because a while ago, an earlier batch of employees was retrenched by the company (identity hidden) already. So there were rumours that more people would be retrenched or outsourced, but nobody knew exaclty, who would be affected and when it was their turn to leave.

Then management came and called the employees into a meeting room. The employees were simply told that their job was no more. The employees were asked to clean their tables, given a plastic bag, to put their private stuff in and then come back to the room for further details. Time given to do the clean-up - 30 minutes.

Suddenly they were out, in the cold. After so many years of working for the same company, they lost their job. 25 years, 20 years or even "only" 7 years or 5 years.

Losing the job that they thought was theirs for life.

Their colleagues only realised what has happened when they wondered why their colleagues didn't come back. The employees, now retrenched, were told that there were coaches that would help them to draft their resume.

Things that happen in Penang and this is were I came in.

I was in Penang for two days and had to coach a couple of those employees on how to get started in the job market. I wasn't alone as there were at least 5 of us, hired for the job by a company specialised in getting people back onto the feet and into the job market or become entrepreneurs. It is a great effort and a great company - when I lost my job a longer while ago, they also helped me. This outplacement company was hired by the retrenching company to perform the job and help the employees for a couple of weeks.

A look into the eyes of the participants revealed their desparation. Their heads down, voice low, no hope anywhere in their system. They had never written any resume, some of them never had any other job. The road ahead looked pitch dark. How to find a job, when you are over 50, and worked 25 years in the same company?

I started my work and realised quickly, that all that I wanted to say and had prepared didn't make any sense to those guys. Way too high level, way ahead of their educational background. These were the "little people", those that are often steamrolled by the economic train when things turn the wrong way.

I had to change things, on the spot. Had to talk their language, which was tougher than I thought. I saw that manytimes, I did not make sense, so I had to revamp my message. I was learning. But here I was, a Mat Salleh, trying to teach the participants on how to find out, now, what they were good at in their job. It was not difficult and took a long time. But we linked up and connected, and they started to laugh, and participated. Still, after a while, they got silent again. Sad eyes, the twitch at their mouth back again.

And we got there, in the end. It felt so good to see the first draft of resumes.

We also talked about communication, and what to do in an interview. We conducted mock interviews. This was hard for some. They were stumpling and it was easy to see how nervous and uncertain they were. One of them, the oldest, nearly started to cry.

The team had organised that some executives from a recruitment agency would come by. Two young executives and here they were. Fast in their actions, and direct in their questions. "Prepare your resume and send it to us." So easy to say, but no understanding of my guys!! Lucky these guys were somewhat ready then already.

I am back now, and hope that I made an impact.

I am waiting for their resumes to check and correct it.

I had a reality check, these last few days and that was a major learning for me.

(Asia Mind Dynamics)












(
NLP in Asia)

Asia Mind Dynamics - New Courses Are Starting

I can get back to my old saying - are you serious about change?

And, if you want to change, why not learn to use the planet's most advanced technology on human communication, called NLP or neuro linguistic programming.

Hey - we all "do" NLP every day - day in and day out, in our "normal life"? We communicate, don't we not? We talk to others, we have great conversations and sometimes bad ones. We are leading teams, sometimes perfectly and hamoniously, sometimes lesser so. We have great sales situations and sometimes, we simply don't get on with the buyer (or may be even us?) and don't sell.

Hmmm!!!

Want to know how it works? The processes behind what is going on in your mind and how to improve the processes? Well, it is so easy, so extremely easy to accelerate in whatever you do. Because, all you need to do is to change the way you are thinking, or better, the way, how you represent information inside of you. Hey - I am not talking positive thinking here, but the style how you operate.

What is your thinking, your feeling, for example, when you go into a sales situation? Do you think, "Gee, I don't want to mess up this sale, like I did last time!" or do you think "finally, this is the sale that I am waiting for, and I am going to get it."

If you are aligned in your thoughts, visuals, inner self-talk and feelings, and assume a physiology of excellence, then you will succeed. Easily, and effortlessly!!!

Want to know how?

Well, Asia Mind Dynamics is organising these great seminars from March to May 2007:

1.) Personal Excellence – Accelerate your life with NLP - March 24-25, 2007 (Weekend) and March 29-30
(Thurs & Fri)

Introductory Price - RM688 (normal price RM1,488)

2.) Leading Magically –Accelerate your leadership skills with NLP - April 7-8 (Weekend)

Early Bird Investment: RM988 (until March 24th)
(normal price RM1,488)

3.) Selling Magically – Accelerate your sales with NLP - April 14-15 (Weekend)
Early Bird Investment: RM988 (until March 31th)
(normal price RM1,488)

4.) NLP Certified Practitioner Course - April 30-May 4, and May 7-11 (10 days for a Certified NLP Practitioner)
Early Bird - RM5,800 (until April 8)

So, download the registration form now, and book your seat.

Training Schedule 1st Quarter

For more details on the different programs, click here:


Asia Mind Dynamics - Course Brochure


______________________________________________
Interested in an initial conversation with me, about coaching or training? Please send an e-mail to nlp AT AsiaMindDynamics.com or call me (Andreas) at 6-012-287 50 48.

______________________________________________

(NLP in Asia)












(
Asia Mind Dynamics)

Congratulations to all graduates of the Certified NLP Practitioner Course of Asia Mind Dynamics

Last Sunday was the day of Asia Mind Dynamics and the participants that came out of my NLP Certified Practitioner Course. 8 days, four weekends, and we got closer to each other, through offsite meetings, onside discussions and exercises.

We all were stretched, in breaking our habits, learning new patterns and understanding of how to run our brain and, ultimately, our life.

No more excuses for having a lack of energy, lacking motivation or coming late. Guys, you are AT CAUSE for your life.

We started the 8 days by stating, that this will be the best training that the participants ever had - and we achieved it!!!!!

They were ready for change, because .... they were there. This contrasted many that said, yeah, I have to change, I will come, and I want to take control of my life.

These guys were there, and they succeeded - brilliantly!

It was exhilarating for the participants. Last Sunday was their day - they had their "examinations", or demonstration. This happened by showing their skills in exercises to the trainer - me :)

They performed magnificently, all of them.

Congratulations to Michael C., Michael H., Nora H., Najwa D, Jasmine R., and Margaret T. I am proud of you!

Award-Ceremony.jpg

I was very surprised to received a present as well - a pointer. Great - because well, you know why :)

Present-for-me.jpg


More pictures can be found here.

Some comments from the participants:


"Andreas has the enthusiasm for his subject that explodes into your subconscious mind and really makes NLP real for me. I recommend this training for everyone who already thinks that they are great – because they will realise just how much better they will be.”


or:


“Your passion and drive is extremely powerful and empowering. I enjoyed the classes.”


Wow - I am so proud. It was a great moment, to sign your certificates.

(NLP in Asia)












(Asia Mind Dynamics)