I recently attended the book launch of The Halo and the Noose – the power of story telling and story listening in business life, written by Dorian Haarhoff and Graham Williams.

The book uses stories to illustrate the stories being told in the corporate and business world – meta stories, so to speak. While I have not read the book yet, a quick look through the table contents promises a good read, including:

• listening
• service
• silent stories
• belief
• money
• teams and diversity
• strategy
• conversations
• coaching
• mindfulness

The book is high up on my reading list.  I will give you a review once I have read it.

Update: Dorian and Graham will be running “storytelling in business” workshop in Cape Town on 5 May. The cost of the full day workshop is R2500. For details and bookings, please contact Johleen van Dyk on 021 913 3507 or email johleen@symphonia.net.

Hi Friends

You have been asking us when we are going to play next, so now you have an answer, next month! I hope that you will be able to join us (more details below the advert).

Craig

Lois and Craig Strachan will be playing a selection of covers and their own songs Saturday 25 April 1st Pinelands Scout Hall St Stephens Road, Pinelands Doors open at 7:30pm Prebook your ticket for R90, or R100 at the door. Book online www.tuesdayschild.co.za/bookings Email craig@johnwhiffen.co.za, or call 082 789 3899 Bookings limited to 100! Charity Gig! – all proceeds donated to the John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust, promoting and supporting personal growth for disabled people through Toastmasters membership.
Download some of our tracks for free now www.craigstrachan.com/tuesdayschildpodcast
The John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust is a registered Not For Profit Organisation—NPO 47-931 For further details, please visit www.johnwhiffen.co.za

So, what exactly does the John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust do?
Most of you know that that Lois and I have been members of Toastmasters for many years. Toastmasters is one of the best ways to develop communication and leadership skills.

A few years ago, a friend of ours, John Whiffen started a Toastmasters club in Johannesburg, to create  opportunities for the physically and mentally challenged to achieve personal growth and integrate more fully with society through Toastmasters in South Africa. John died tragically in a construction accident in 2004. As a tribute to John, the trust has been setup to continue John’s vision, providing Toastmasters training to people that otherwise do not have a voice.

About tuesday’s child
When Lois was declared blind in Durban in 1992, the first thing she did was to join a rock band. When she moved to Cape Town, she met Craig, and it was not long before they were performing a mixture of original and cover music throughout Cape Town, mostly under the name “tuesday’s child”. The music varied from a quite acoustic duo, through to a full four-piece rock band, with Mike on lead guitar, and Richard on drums.

Tuesday’s child have been played on both national and international radio, and one of their tracks even reached #1 on the SA Rock Digest music charts in 2002. Tracks can be downloaded for free off the band’s website – www.tuesdayschild.co.za

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact Person: Craig Strachan
Company Name: The John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust
Phone Number: 082 789 3899
FAX Number: 021 788 3884
Email Address: craig@johnwhiffen.co.za
Website URL: www.johnwhiffen.co.za

Lois and Craig Strachan from the popular Cape Town band tuesday’s child will be performing a selection of cover and original music to raise funds to assist physically and mentally disabled people.

Cape Town, 23 March, 2009. Lois and Craig Strachan will be reviving their band tuesday’s child to perform a once-off gig to raise funds for The John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust. The trust helps physically and mentally challenged to achieve personal growth and integrate more fully with society.

Saturday 25 April
1st Pinelands Scout Hall
St Stephens Road, Pinelands
Doors open at 7:30pm
Prebook your ticket for R90, or R100 at the door. Book online www.tuesdayschild.co.za/bookings

All proceeds donated to the John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust, promoting and supporting personal growth for disabled people through Toastmasters membership.

About the John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust

John Whiffen died tragically in a building accident 2004, at the age of 48. John had a passion for life and one of the activities closest to his heart was the work he did through Toastmasters for people with physical and mental disabilities. At the time of his death, John was the President of Golden City Toastmasters Johannesburg, based at St Giles in Kensington.

This club was established to assist the physically and mentally challenged to achieve personal growth and integrate more fully with society through the medium and support of Toastmasters in South Africa. The family has established the John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust (JWGCMT). The Trust is committed to promoting and supporting personal growth for physically and mentally challenged individuals and groups in South African society.
The Trust has provides support to the growth of the Golden City Toastmasters Club in Johannesburg, the Madiba Bay Golden City Johannesburg Club in Port Elizabeth, and physically challenged members from other Toastmasters Clubs.

The John Whiffen Golden City Memorial Trust is a registered Not For Profit Organisation—NPO 47-931. For further details, please visit www.johnwhiffen.co.za

About tuesday’s child

When Lois was declared blind in Durban in 1992, the first thing she did was to join a rock band. When she moved to Cape Town, she met Craig, and it was not long before they were performing a mixture of original and cover music throughout Cape Town, mostly under the name “tuesday’s child”. The music varied from a quite acoustic duo, through to a full four-piece rock band. They have been played on both national and international radio, and one of their tracks even reached #1 on the SA Rock Digest music charts in 2002. Tracks can be downloaded for free off the band’s website – www.tuesdayschild.co.za

- END -

Craig Valentine has created a list of ten things that you can do to improve your next speech.

Here is a summary of just a few tips.

• Facial Expressions
• Gestures
• Emotions
• Movement with a purpose
• Smile

You can read the full list on Craig’s website.

The folks at Good Hope FM have kindly given us an MP3 recording of Lois’ interview from today. You can listen online, or download it.

Download the podcast.

Just a quick update – Lois is being interviewed today on GHFM (Good Hope) at 12:50pm. She will be speaking on Toastmasters, communication and leadership skills.

You can listen online here.

I hope that you manage to listen.