"Some people don't like change, but you need to embrace change if the alternative is disaster."
Elon Musk
To be the difference we want, we must make the changes that are needed. We must claim a seat at the table where we get the opportunity to talk, not about technology but what you can do with technology. We need a to claim a seat at the table so that we can research, develop, and deliver education, health, and wealth through technology.
Really intelligent technology is already in existence. Every day, around the world, truly life-changing technology is being researched and developed by young and futuristic visionaries in lab coats with degrees from reputable institutions. Yet, we are not bringing these changes (and the opportunities they represent) to market, and when we, on occasion, do bring it to the market, we are told the market is not ready… When no one ever offered it to the market? It reminds me of a quote by Henry Ford: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”
Celebrating each and every employee’s unique wins and valuable contributions are at the heart of Our business is open to sit around the table and talk to your business about the possibilities available and opportunities on our doorsteps to break through into the 5th industrial revolution. Since the beginning of time, at each corner, at each turning point, someone embraced change and delivered breakthrough technology solutions that led to the change in the world we live in today. From medicine, education, and travel amongst many examples, to having the world in the palm of our hands.
If not now, then when? When will we take hands and become the difference we want to live?
DoItTheSaltWay #5IR #TechRev #OnsGeeOm #ThisIsHowWeRoll #TechnologyRevolutionist
By Sonja Coetzer
Heartfelt appreciation goes a long way - praise, acknowledgment, and reward. Robert McNamara, former American Secretary of Defense said: "Brains, like hearts, go where they are appreciated."
Rewards and Recognitions is a system where people are acknowledged for their performance and/or contribution in intrinsic or extrinsic ways. A leader understands the importance of letting the team, and the individual members of a team, know that they are truly appreciated. The earth is rewarded with rain and the tribe with grain.
A recent discussion with a life coach challenged the notion of companies that awards Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year, as it could leave other hardworking employees to feel undervalued should they not be nominated and/or considered for such recognition and the accompanying reward. I beg to differ. While every employee is valued and acknowledged as a contributor towards the company's success, certain actions stand out as exceptional, and that deserves a shout-out.
Celebrating each and every employee’s unique wins and valuable contributions are at the heart of showing gratitude and appreciation. All Salties participate in our regular shoutouts, praises, recognition, and rewards. The tribe celebrates the individual and the individual celebrates the tribe. We hold each other in high regard, and we celebrate every moment and action and employee deserving, no matter big or small.
#EverySaltieCounts #RewardsAndRecognition #CelebrateTheWins #DoItTheSaltWay #5IR #TechRev #OnsGeeOm #ThisIsHowWeRoll #TechnologyRevolutionist
By Sonja Coetzer
Salt believes in employing the right talent. Talent equals brains, guts, and above all, heart. We choose hearty, salty talent that is complimented by tenacity, an eager willingness to learn, and a commitment to the company, themselves, and the rest of the team for the job at hand. Heart transcends gender, race, age, colour, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion, creed, or social or economic status.
Salt embraces and embodies our values: Challenge. Empower. Impact.
Every Saltie in their carefully selected role is viewed and treated as a valued contributor to the growth and the success of the company, with plenty and equal opportunity and access to training and coaching. This aims to ensure that they are enabled to achieve their career development goals.
Research has regularly demonstrated that when employees feel empowered at work, it is associated with stronger job performance, job satisfaction, and commitment to the organisation.
Laura Moss from EveryoneSocial, states that employee empowerment entails the following five elements in the workplace:
I am a firm believer that growth comes through empowerment of yourself and others. Belief in yourself and belief in those around you, build confidence and trust, promote self-development and growth, personally and professionally.
So you can become the you you were born to be!
#DoItTheSaltWay #5IR #TechRev #OnsGeeOm #ThisIsHowWeRoll #TechnologyRevolutionist
By Sonja Coetzer
As a humanist, I concern myself with human welfare, values, and dignity. As a business leader, my concerns are exactly the same.
A leader's responsibility is to hone effectiveness while inspiring others. To develop employees while leading a team. To guide change while managing stakeholders. To set goals and effectively delegate to best reach them.
I am a people over numbers leader, I believe in a working environment that is safe emotionally, mentally, and physically. I believe in working hard and playing harder, for my team and for me. Richard Branson says: "Take care of your employees and they’ll take care of your business".
All of this is easier said than done. Of course, how else?
Wake up every morning, put on your armour, and walk out the front door with intent. The intent of a leader. It can be exhausting, it can be downright scary sometimes, however, true leaders have great warriors in their tribe. Warriors who will have your back every moment of every day. Warriors that believe in the vision, the mission to protect the farmers, the hunters, the gatherers - the soul of the tribe.
A courageous leader understands fear, embraces it, and turns it into an opportunity to learn, explore, and ultimately thrive. When tribe members can apply their natural skills and passions to what they do every day in every way, when they are empowered to contribute towards success, the tribe itself thrives. This is a simple evolutionary fact.
Salt's tribe stands together, learns together, grows together, and above all, we thrive together.
#ProudSaltie #DoItTheSaltWay #5IR #TechRev #OnsGeeOm #ThisIsHowWeRoll #TechnologyRevolutionist
By Sonja Coetzer
I remember the very first time I was introduced to computer technology: a Commodore 64 home computer at a school friend’s house. I fell in love with it, head over heels. I knew that one day, I will work in this field. I knew that technology was going to be an amazing part of what mankind can be…
…I also remember the days when you needed to be in the vicinity of a landline phone to be reached remotely. I remember the days when your work hours were just that – the time you spend at your office or place of work. I remember the days you had to plan your meals, your petrol, your everything, to ensure you had what you needed for the weekend, else you would be waiting until Monday, 09:00-ish.
Then, of course with humans doing what humans do, we became increasingly unhappy with this well-balanced lifestyle. We wanted things more easily available, at the drop of a hat, all the time, anytime, and technology enabled it.
Of course, it backfired. It would be unfair to blame computers for the backlash, technology simply answered our incessant calls for instant gratification with everything. Now the lines of work, life, home, family, and me-time are so blurred, we are as deurmekaar as a chameleon on a Smartie box. And we’re constantly bone-tired.
Our lives have changed and will continue to change. For better or for worse, it is up to each of us to make a conscious choice, every day, of how we will use, consume, and rely on technology.
When was the last time you did not check emails over the weekend or responded to the last instant message just before closing your eyes? Can you remember the last time that you told your partner, child, friend, or colleague to just wait a minute while you finish reading, watching, typing, or responding to something on your device of choice?
Life is about discipline and boundaries. We need the discipline to set the boundaries of how technology will form part of our daily lives, at work, at home, in our cars, basically anywhere. Boundaries of when it is acceptable (and healthy) to respond to a work call, email, or "ping". This discipline and these boundaries will prevent burnouts, exhaustion, and emancipation of real life.
Those of you that know me will know, I love technology. I love what technology can do to bring about an improvement to the quality of life, education, health, and wealth. Technology can help humankind and it certainly has already. But it still has an on-off switch. Use it frequently.
I believe in working hard and playing hard. I believe in quality of life. I believe in boundaries, and I set them for office and for home.
I love technology, but I love balance more and so should you.
By Sonja Coetzer
