Future Meetings
click here

It’s A Surprise!

Burton Business Club found itself at short notice without its planned event for the November meeting.  At the last minute one of the members, Alan Shaw stepped in and gave the large number of members relaxing after a good meal at the Branston Golf Club, a real surprise by asking: “How many people are really loyal to you?”

Alan Shaw’s theme was Leadership and Personal Effectiveness. Alan is well equipped to talk on this theme as he runs his own management consultancy specialising in developing effective quality systems in business organisations and management training. 

Alan first surprised members by telling them that management gurus cannot agree what elements make up personal effectiveness in an effective leader, sales person or community activist.  However, they are all quite recognisable.  Philosophers and latterly psychologists have been pondering this for centuries and the only the agreement is that you need Personal Effectiveness (or PE for short) to influence others.  Despite this, there are recognised courses leading to Certificates of Personal Training (CoPE) for aspiring supervisors, managers and directors, anything from NVQ3 (GCSE level) to NVQ6 (degree equivalent).

In 1993, Alan participated in a survey of 102 CEOs of business organisations to see if there was any common agreement of which is the most important element of PE.  The survey said; Physical appearance 26; Communication/behaviour 20; emotional 19, and mental/spiritual 37! This revealing result leads directly to the basis of PE as being the power of positive thought.  He went on to say that if you concentrate on one element at a time, there would be a general improvement for all the others.

Alan observed that he is absolutely convinced of the real power of positive thinking by relating instances from his personal life; from his early and some said inexplicable successes as a sales engineer, to recovering from a near fatal car crash 6 years ago.

Alan concluded by asking members to ponder whether or not members were personally effective by asking the question: “How many people are really loyal to you?”

Chairman Derek Liddle thanked Alan for allowing himself to be roped in to inform and entertain the members with such a thought-provoking presentation.  Derek went on to quip (in that inimitable style so well known by members and friends) that his personal effectiveness had been led away with his 70th birthday.

He reminded members that the mayor will be attending the 2009 launch of the Derek’s Tree Appeal on the 15 November 2009 in the Cooper Square Centre and that all members are welcome to attend as well as help at the Tree in the run up to Christmas.  He observed that the signs are that there will be significantly more disadvantaged children to be bought a present that the 1400 last year.   He went on to remind members that the Club’s website www.burtonbusinessclub.co.uk has been thrown open for them to use and contribute their ideas.