Premium: Full transcript, audio of Alec Hogg’s post-Davos SA presentations
LONDON — Six presentations across South Africa in 10 days is about as intense a programme as I've had. But the message from Davos and afterwards was certainly heard: this remarkable country is on the mend and the smart money is already paying attention. We kicked off the post-Davos talks in Durban, and as tends to happen, the audience was settled a long time before the 6pm start. There was a flipboard in the room which, ahead of the formal proceedings, allowed me to informally share on the four quadrants of change which we must all progress through: Rejection; Resistance; Acceptance; Commitment. South Africa is changing. But as with any other change, each one of us moves through these quadrants at our own speed – the most fortunate have always been those who get to Commitment first and reap the rewards by adjusting their circumstances ahead of the crowd. Given the interaction both during and after these talks, information shared assisted some attendees in that process. Have a listen/read the transcript of the final presentation in Johannesburg last Thursday and perhaps you'll join them. – Alec Hogg
The World Economic Forum is held in the highest town in Europe – only one way in and one way out – and as a consequence of this, since 1971 (48 years this year), there has been a gathering of effectively, the most powerful people in the world. But what happens in Davos, is that you get all these A-type personalities and they're engaging with each other. A-type personalities (for those of you who don't know this) are people who tend not to listen too well. They're usually CEOs of companies who talk a lot and tell people what to do, but they don't absorb a lot. So, now they get to Davos and all their heroes are there so they start listening. They all listen to each other, go back home, they've been educated and they effectively set the agenda for the world for the next 12 months until they get back together again and listen again, etc. South Africa's always punched above its weight at the World Economic Forum.
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