Welcome to Apter International’s Autumn Newsletter 2004

Quote of the day: “Often we end up doing what we almost want to do because we lack the courage to do what we really want to do” Jason Webster, Duende   Building Senior Leadership in the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains The Kasbah du Toubkal “It is an astonishing place – the sort of place you need if you want new thinking in your organisation – the place and the spirit behind, is in itself a role model for socially responsible entrepreneurship, audacious vision and action, and an ongoing challenge of assumptions.” - Steve Carter     Back to Top

In this issue: Moroccan High Atlas Mountains: The venue for an innovative European Leadership Programme for SABMiller designed by Apter International Employee Surveys – do they really work as they should? The Pioneering Spirit – Volunteers required for future research events Redevelopment and Acclaim of AMSP and ALPS profiling tools Everest Success – a final word from Barry Roberts   It may be unusual to build a leadership development programme high in the Atlas Mountains in the rebuilt summer residence of the local Caid, but, to build new thinking and behaviours, that result in a European wide community of leaders who can act and think across the boundaries of function, geography, expatriate & local, requires a different approach to the bland, traditional, familiar environments where such events are usually held. Joining the Apter International team at the Kasbah to run the 1st European Leadership Programme for SABMiller will be: Jonathan Males adviser to the successful British Olympic team and Hugo Pound - expert in top team development. We will keep you updated about the success and implementation of this unique programme.

Employee Surveys – do the results really help you understand your employees?

Apter International is presently involved with 4 major organisations, analysing their employee data to raise issues that hide deeper and more significant underlying problems than initial survey results may perceive.

Says Steve Carter, Managing Director: “There is a tendency for organisations to respond to survey data on a one size fits all basis. In truth, something more in-depth is required of what it means to the employee to work for you and how individual motivational factors can impact upon customer perceptions of your organisation.”

Reversal Theory, the intellectual backbone to the research and development of all Apter International projects, provides a far more rounded and workable analysis to identify and successfully address the new challenges of HR: Talent Management, Employee Segmentation & Engagement, EVP and the Service Value Chain all demand this level of understanding for future success.

For further information on how we can help please call +44 (0)1509 228896.

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The Pioneering Spirit – a call for volunteers

Volunteers are required as part of our ongoing research strategy to test out new approaches and applications in the use of Reversal Theory in the workplace. Free training will be given over a 2-day event on how the Reversal Theory concept can be successfully applied to a wide variety of leadership and organisational challenges. This provides an excellent opportunity to gain powerful insights into what motivates us both as individuals and as part of a team.

Our first Pioneer OD event held at Loughborough University on September 6 & 7 was attended by 16 delegates from a wide range of backgrounds from the single consultancy to the corporate Head of HR. Our next event is due to be held November 2004. Volunteers are invited to apply from all aspects of organisations. Please call Rowan MacMillan +44 (0)1509 228896.

“Reversal Theory works on so many levels, for so many needs - it could become the base tool of my work. In the short time since the event, I have already used it to open up new avenues for my own consultancy, enthuse two high schools and make vital changes in a city centre hospital. The concept - and the instruments being developed - challenge thinking patterns, offer a re-focus for possibilities and fine-tune influence. Further pioneering will no doubt achieve huge strides in understanding and potential - I feel fortunate to be an early convert.” Delegate, Phillipa Bogle – The Bogle Consultancy

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New Development of Profiling Tools

It has been an exceptionally busy summer for the team that has seen all of our on-line profiling tools undergo vigorous redevelopment in line with our continuing research.

AMSP – identifying the changes and inconsistencies that motivate us as individuals has been further developed and favourably discussed in the July issue of People Management.

ALPS – an innovative way of exploring the key issue of leadership impact – assessing a leader’s microclimate - what is it like to be around them and what motivators do they engage in their teams. Launched in the USA in September this product will be available in the UK from October 2004.

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So – how do you get to do what you really want to do?

Barry Roberts, sponsored by Apter International, explored this quest back in May when he successfully fulfilled his lifelong ambition to climb Everest. Barry’s quest has contributed invaluable research to Reversal Theory looking at how people work under risk of high pressure situations.

Says Barry: “Creating a positive constructive mindset for getting up Everest doesn't just happen, for me it was a deeply personal undertaking within the context of a highly specialised team. You are under intense psychological and physiological pressure at high altitude so you can't rely on on-the-spot decision making because your mental faculties are severely diminished and your energy is limited - a split second of inattention can lead to a spectacular death. There are moments when you could give up; this is when the relationships within the team can make or break the experience. It’s vital that people exercise restraint. The focus, camaraderie and support of my team mates will remain as important to my life as my memory of the day I reached the summit.”

Barry Roberts will be joining Apter International in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco during its European Leadership Programme.

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For any further information about Apter International, please contact:

Rowan MacMillan: Manager Global Qualified Practitioner Network - rmacmillan@apterinternational.com

Jacqui Newman: Client Development Manager - jnewman@apterinternational.com

Web: www.apterinternational.com

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