RE:THINK

As JobCAMP approaches…(to be held in Sydney on May 7/8th), we want to hear you thoughts on our new logo?

Leave comment on what is your favourite version of the JobCAMP logo and why?

 

Being made redundant is pretty popular right now…for corporations.

For those made redundant, this may be quite a difficult time frought with uncertainty and fear.

 

David Runnalls over at Our World 2.0 (The United Nations University website) wrote an article late last year that summarised and highlighted at the same time; the real challenges we face in climate change…

 

Climate change and energy policy are likely to be the most difficult economic issues facing the world in the first few decades of this century.

The most recent report of the Nobel Peace Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms that global warming is taking place and is almost certainly being caused by human activities. The report also urges governments to take immediate action.

Other clarion calls have followed; from the Secretary General of the United Nations, from the EU, from non-governmental organizations and even from US President George Bush, long a holdout against global action on this problem.

Events of the past few months have added urgency to the need for action. The Kyoto Protocol has an article that states that the agreement’s ultimate purpose is to prevent a dangerous accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Efforts continue in the bid to quantify what level of CO2 is dangerous.

For a number of years, it was assumed that 550 parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere represented an acceptable target for the stabilization of emissions. But that would represent a global average temperature increase of approximately 3 percent, which the IPCC indicates would be very dangerous in terms of species loss and sea level rise.

The European Union has therefore concluded that any concentration that results in an average temperature rise of more than 2° C is dangerous. To come in under that would mean we’d have to stabilize at 450 ppm. This is not an easy target.

Earlier this year, international oil giant Shell issued an update to its energy scenarios. A world leader in developing these views of the future, the company believes that the world will be extremely hard pressed to stabilize at 550 ppm by 2050.

At a recent United Nations University symposium, Dr. James Hanson of NASA, one of the most respected and most courageous climate scientists, has called for a target of 350 ppm or so. And we are already at 380 ppm, with no signs of slowing down. So the need for action is immediate. The actions that we take during the next 5 to 10 years will determine the future of the world’s climate.

The cost of our climate/energy dilemna

If you think that these CO2 numbers are alarming, consider the financial implications of the most recent forecasts from the International Energy Agency. In the past, IEA forecasts have consisted of a relentless upbound growth curve, followed by a matter-of-fact statement that these demands can easily be met with proper investment and energy policies.

However, the most recent IEA report can only be described as alarmist, near panic-stricken. They predict a global need for US$44 trillion in new energy investments by the year 2030 in order to meet their projected demand figures. Most of this investment will occur in Asia and most of that in India and China.

Climate change is looming ever closer and the resources to deal merely with our future energy needs seem enormous and almost unattainable. But there is a way out, if we begin to act now. A study by Lord Nicholas Stern, the former Chief Economist of the World Bank and of the British Government, put the cost of dealing with climate change at approximately 1 percent annually of the world GDP.

This is not an insignificant figure. It is far more than we are presently spending on development aid and its mobilization will not be simple. But consider the alternative. Lord Stern calculates that not taking action could result in a drop of up to 20 percent of global GNP due to the effects of climate change.

A carbon revolution

Further evidence of a light at the end of a tunnel has come recently in a McKinsey Global Institute study. I came across an article on the web that reviewed this study written by Alister Doyle. He explained how the authors estimate that to curb global warming would require a modern “carbon revolution” via a huge bump in the level of economic output for every tonne of greenhouse gases emitted (mainly by burning fossil fuels).

Such a steep improvement in the global carbon productivity rate would require that by 2050, the world produce US$7,300 of gross domestic product (GDP) for every tonne of carbon dioxide emitted, up dramatically from the current US$740.

“Increasing carbon productivity tenfold in less than 50 years will be one of the greatest tests humankind has ever faced. But both history and economics give us confidence it can be done,” the study said.

This confidence is likely due to some good news shared by the study. New technologies, such as better building insulation and cleaner coal generation, are already available and have the potential to reduce the world’s greenhouse gas emissions by 64 percent by 2050. That would mean 20 billion tonnes a year, down from 55 billion in 2008.

The study further reckons that cost-wise, such a “carbon revolution” would be “manageable”, tallying up at 0.6 to 1.4 percent of the global GDP by 2030, figures in line with to those of Lord Stern. To avoid impact on growth, the authors suggest that substantial amounts could be raised by borrowing.

However, they also admit that the pace of change would have to be very brisk. Faster than during the Industrial Revolution. They note that the tenfold boost in labour productivity required is the same size increase that the United States achieved between 1830 and 1955.

Negotiating a way forward

Although it is obvious that climate change is a global problem and that emissions are growing far faster in developing countries than they are in the North, developed countries must take the initiative in cutting their emissions far more rapidly in the 2012-2020 period than they have under the Kyoto Protocol.

The process of reaching agreement at the next climate conference in Copenhagen, or thereafter, will be somewhat familiar to trade negotiators and experts. It will be complex and will involve a whole range of sub-agreements. And there is likely to be no agreement on anything until there is at least some agreement on everything.

It will require that developed countries make more drastic cuts and investments on the order of those envisioned by McKinsey and the International Energy Agency. It will involve huge investments in decarbonising energy production. The final agreement will have to contain specific commitments by the North to invest in a substantial number of carbon capture and sequestration facilities in the South, and particularly in China and India, where coal will remain the principal source of energy for decades.

The recent initiative by the Government of Japan called Cool Earth 2050 could be of some help here in promoting investment in new energy technologies and in energy efficiency. Any future agreement will require investments in measures that help poorer countries adapt to changes in their climates.

It will also involve expenditures by the richer countries to preserve and enhance the carbon sinks of the South, particularly its forests. It is estimated by the IPCC that up to 25 per cent of global emissions result from changes in land use, particularly deforestation. Finally, it will require some concessions by developing countries.

Note: This article is based on a presentation entitled “Climate Change and World Trade: Friends or Foe” made at the G8 Dialogue held at the United Nations University on 3 June 2008.

 

 

After a successful first event in Sydney in 2008, RE:THINK is excited to be launching JobCAMP ONE09

If you are out of work, looking for a change, or recognise that you need to make some changes to be more employable, then JobCAMP is for you!

JobCAMP ONE09 is 2 days of practical and inspiring material to ‘get Australia WORKING’ to be held in Sydney in May 2009

The team at RE:THINK have brought together the best qualified and most inspiring presenters and facilitators in the land to “get Australia WORKING“.  JobCAMP ONE09 will be the first in a series of JobCAMP’s covering practical sessions like;

• The Future….what trends and options exist in this NEW World?
• Networking - online, offline and inline to get the best results,
• Getting a job without a resume,
• What are you selling - selling brand YOU.

YOU should attend if you are;

• Looking for work,
• Looking to change careers,
• Needing to improve your ‘employability’,
• Looking to meet new people, and
• Eager to share ideas and experiences…

Who will be there with you;

• People in the same boat!
• Employers,
• Political representatives,
• Media, and 
• The RE:THINK team.

Register and stay tuned as we make some upcoming announcements about special events and competitions like WIN a Job with JobCAMP

REGISTER your interest , so we can keep you informed first hand and help build the excitement for JobCAMP ONE09

Sydney Morning Herald journalist - Caroline Marcus wrote the following article on Barack Obama, and his Personal Brand. Whilst charisma is largely bred not made, there are some very simple but powerful habits that anyone can adapt to have presence like the President of the United States

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s policies may have been credited for winning him the election but Sydney experts say that his appearance, wardrobe, voice and body language were just as important in giving him an edge.

Speech expert Monique Rissen-Harrisberg of The Voice Clinic says that successful communication consists of 55 per cent body language, image and dress, 38 per cent voice and just 7 per cent content of speech - a combination that Mr Obama has mastered.

“There is that intelligence [in his voice], but there is also a smoothness,” she said. “Specifically with his inauguration speech, the content was excellent. His vocabulary was very emotive; the language was very good.”

She said his voice was deep, resonant and powerful, qualities that would only strengthen with time in the role.

One Sydney writing and speech coach, Tony Spencer-Smith of the Editor Group, has even designed a Write Like Obama course to teach people how to emulate his vocal qualities and language.

He said Mr Obama’s tendency to use “simple, straightforward words” made his writing and speeches accessible to millions, and such clarity was within any student’s grasp.

The editor of Marie Claire magazine and judge of television’s Make Me A Supermodel, Jackie Frank, said Mr Obama’s good looks and dress sense would have helped win voters.

“He is extremely pleasing to the eye - he’s hot,” Ms Frank said. “Immediately that rallies people, and he has got a natural charisma that just infects. With his personal style, he does comfort without sacrificing authority. It has been strikingly simple with his slim-fitting black suits.

“He is the first president in a long time to actually have a great body. The slim silhouette is a much more modern silhouette and he certainly can carry the slim-fitting black suits.

“The Obamas really are the modern-day Kennedys.”

Body language expert Michael Kelly said that Mr Obama was “so measured” and took his time in speeches and debates, lending him an air of authority.

“That comes across as presidential,” Mr Kelly said.

“A lot of the time, people will blabber out something. [Obama] is such a counterpoint to [former US president George] Bush, who shoots from the hip and sees what happens.[Obama] has got a loping, easy gait, and people with authority do not rush. He will face [his audience] and then he will smile. He has got a great smile. It is just natural, very easy and not forced.”

The experts had less praise for our own leader, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who they agreed needed to take some tips from his American counterpart if he wanted to achieve a similar presence.

“I would love to work with him,” Ms Rissen-Harrisberg said. “There is so much work that needs to be done. He has this sing-song, choirboy way. He needs to be more of a man than a boy. One does not believe him.”

How to be like Barack;

HANDS - His gestures use the space around him well; he often moves his hands from side to side. People in authority are not stiff. His self-assuredness helps voters believe him.

HEIGHT - His tall, angular frame contributes to his good looks but also helps give him an air of authority. His posture is good and he always looks comfortable.

RELAXED POSE - He always looks comfortable, yet authoritative. The hands-in-the-pocket pose is a classic for portraits of leaders.

SMILE - His smile is natural and very easy. It never looks forced. Great white teeth.

SUIT - He favours slim-fitting black suits that are not only the height of fashion but show off his great build.

VOICE - His voice is deep, resonant and powerful. It is smooth and he pauses often, lending him gravitas.

I’m at Liberty!

In her recent film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Cristina (Johnasson’s character) was asked the question “so what do you do?”

And this is how she replies!

Josephine Tovey over at the Sydney Morning Herald wrote a great article on this very subject - and mused about how today’s careerists could do well to follow this advice; and just take time out to ‘find themselves’

She was worried by the fact that young people had spent their whole time over the summer holidays considering a ‘lifelong’ career, and that little time was being spent to really answer the question “So what do you do”

This is what Personal Branding is all about!

Discovering what it is you ‘do’

Remember, your job is not ‘what you do’ - what you do is what you do to help people.  I was reminded of this again when I met with a contact, who promotes herself as a coach.  I asked “so what do you do”..typically, the answer to this question would be “I coach”…meh.

This conversation is not going to last long!

“I’m at Liberty” is a much more interesting answer to this question!

What do you do?

Barack Obama got it…

Apple get it.

Branding as we know it is fast approaching its death!  Brands must connect, deliver, involve, listen and engage. PERIOD.

Branding 1.0 was all about pushing messages at your audience all day, every day, with little interest in truly engaging or involving the general audience in the messages, the story or the promises of the brand.  Branding 2.0 is all about the 2nd version, and how brands interactions now work in 2 directions….push and pull!

Ben Bradley and Robert Hamilton wrote another great article on this subject - “The Last Gasp of Branding as we Know it”

Key points from this article were;

• Corporate Brands matter - but for the small to medium operator, brands are foreign
• B2B customers are getting harder to connect with
• The one kind of brand still worthy of investment is the Personal Brand
• Action oriented branding is replacing ‘awareness branding’
• Brand has been redefined due to the transparency and the walk needing the match the talk
• Today, branding is all about the full relationship cycle
• Customers are now seeking a brand that is alive and connects with them
• True value is now in the individual who can tune the solution to meet a customers needs…

Read the full article here…

Well firstly, he drives fast cars faster than you probably can (without ruining them)…

But more importantly, he has a pretty impressive Personal Brand.

So here are 5 reasons why the Stig is better than you!

1.  He has a simple but memorable name - I mean, who else do you know named the Stig?  Fair chance, you will remember this name though!  Even I can spell Stig (although my spell checker does not pick it up), that is easy to recall, and says little other than “I need to know more about this Stig character”

2.  He is mysterious - who is the Stig…does it matter?

3.  He is Persistently Consistent - the bloke (or lady) always looks the same, has the same Personal Value Proposition (he never says much; but in case you missed it; he drives cars…fast)

4.  The Stig is damn good at what he does - he has competence.  I don’t know if you saw the episode screened last night in Australia - but who else could chase down 4 seconds on a Porsche, driven by a Touring Car Champion in two laps…in an Aston Martin?

5.  People know the Stig, and they know what he does - well mostly people know the Stig…if you watch BBC Top Gear, or you like cars, then most likely you know the Stig!

Just in case you don’t know the Stig…here is some insight!

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