In keeping with the fact that it was 'Tata's" birthday - here is an article on him. Well done to Timothy Webster for this insightful piece of work.
I think that we all need to stop from time to time, look around us and see if we are still going in the right direction and if those around us, still identify us with what our passion is - a true lesson for all of us.
Hope you had a wonderful day Tata, and many more
7 Steps to Madiba magic
Timothy Webster
19 July 2007 at 11h00
Is it possible that arguably the greatest statesperson ever to have lived has been reading this column? On his 89th birthday, former president Nelson Mandela will receive every type of gift you can imagine, from inspiring local text messages to artefacts flown in from thousands of kilometres away. But his greatest gift will come from his very own foundation - a personal brand makeover! The chief executive officer of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Achmat Dangor, said that, at Mandela's insistence, the organisation will be working hard to break down "the mythology around the man". Mythology is defined as a collective body of stories associated with a culture, institution or person. I can imagine Madiba himself woke up one day, looked around and recognised that despite all the bridges, municipalities and malls named after him - and having every major celebrity in the world clamouring to get an opportunistic photo - his real legacy of encouraging peaceful dialogue and debate could be totally lost. Madiba is wise enough to recognise that for his true brand legacy to remain, that a branding campaign must be engineered to combat the unconscious tendency by the media to turn him into a myth. In the spirit of celebration and gift-giving, I would like to give Mr Mandela a gift synonymous with his own legacy - and that's to give you the reader the opportunity to undergo the same rebranding effort that he himself has decided to embark on. Most of you aren't aware of the body of stories associated with your brand. The reality is that all of us exist in the mind of others and if you aren't careful, the perception of your existence could get lost in the agendas of other people.
Is it possible that arguably the greatest statesperson ever to have lived has been reading this column? On his 89th birthday, former president Nelson Mandela will receive every type of gift you can imagine, from inspiring local text messages to artefacts flown in from thousands of kilometres away. But his greatest gift will come from his very own foundation - a personal brand makeover! The chief executive officer of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Achmat Dangor, said that, at Mandela's insistence, the organisation will be working hard to break down "the mythology around the man". Mythology is defined as a collective body of stories associated with a culture, institution or person. I can imagine Madiba himself woke up one day, looked around and recognised that despite all the bridges, municipalities and malls named after him - and having every major celebrity in the world clamouring to get an opportunistic photo - his real legacy of encouraging peaceful dialogue and debate could be totally lost. Madiba is wise enough to recognise that for his true brand legacy to remain, that a branding campaign must be engineered to combat the unconscious tendency by the media to turn him into a myth. In the spirit of celebration and gift-giving, I would like to give Mr Mandela a gift synonymous with his own legacy - and that's to give you the reader the opportunity to undergo the same rebranding effort that he himself has decided to embark on. Most of you aren't aware of the body of stories associated with your brand. The reality is that all of us exist in the mind of others and if you aren't careful, the perception of your existence could get lost in the agendas of other people.
Therefore, I am revealing, for the first time, the seven ways to ensure your true brand legacy lives forever! Seven Steps to Madiba Magic
1. Know your purpose and mission in life.
2. Be prepared to go to prison and die for your purpose.
3. Forgive even when it's not popular to do so.
4. Know when it's your time to step down.
5. Be willing to undergo an image makeover (going from tailored suits to the Madiba shirt).
6. Learn the art of networking - get people on board to promote your cause and mission (eg former US resident Bill Clinton).
7. Remain humble and connected with the poor!
Thanks Madiba for giving us the greatest example of what true personal brand is all about. Happy birthday and thanks for staying human!
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