Jerusalem Archives - Page 11 of 25 - Michael Horesh Business Coach and Mentor

13 January 2017

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

Earlier this week, I questioned if it was still possible and even moral to boycott Israel, both economically and culturally.

The events of the past week have taken the discussion considerably further.

Let’s start with Amazon, that multinational with an ability to sell to literally every corner of the world. They have struck a deal with Kornit, a digital printing outfit. Located east of Tel Aviv in Rosh Ha’ayin, the outcome is likely to revolutionise how t-shirts are sold on-line.

Next there is Microsoft, no stranger to cooperating with Israeli tech. Together with Qualcomm, it will invest in the development of Team8, which specializes in cyber services. They will join others like Cisco and Google, who are partnering with this ex-Israeli army intelligence team. One estimation puts overseas investment in Israeli cybertech at 20% of the global scene.

If that sounds rather incredible, let us turn officially to the world of make-believe. This week, Israeli actress Gal Gadot, otherwise known as Superwoman, made one of the presentations at the Golden Globe awards. And yes, the film is shown around the world, except in places that boycott her.

And staying with the theme of arts, Coldpaly will finally have a chance to perform in Israel – two concerts – in November of 2017. One of the biggest acts currently performing on the world circuit, they have found the correct balance to meet the needs of all fans, and thus ignoring the narrow-minded protesters along the way.

And where does that leave BDS proponents? I am not sure, but this package of news is a clear dent in a campaign replete with its moral bankruptcy.

12 January 2017

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

One of the common problems that I see regularly are those company owners and senior managers, who work their guts out, but feel that they leave the desks at midnight with more work unfinished than when they started the day.

And we know the standard responses whenever a solution is suggested.

What will my boss think?
Nobody else can do this.
I can’t be seen to be slacking.
I promised myself that…..this is the last time, or…….that I will do this before I go, or……..
etc

This is self-perpetuating nonsense. And for most people, late night sessions often results in poor quality deliverables and which has taken much longer than normal to complete. So what has really been achieved?

There is another approach that I have developed over the years and tried to impress on my clientele as their business mentor and coach. Call it the “5 point Horesh guide” to being commercially successful without thinking about strategy and without preparing a spreadsheet.

Exercise. There is increasing evidence that regular exercise jolts us into thinking more effectively and creatively. As many of my customers live in Jerusalem, Israel, they have some inspirational scenery to motivate them. By way of contrast, one of them creates training programmes. So instead of extra running, they took up a course in the arts, which has been equally beneficial.
Eat properly. No, this is not a lesson in why to eat broccoli and almonds. Start your day with a full breakfast. Your body is just like a car, which needs quality fuel in it so that it complete its daily journey.
Listen to others. That means networking. Find an opportunity to liaise with others in your field and also those outside your direct interests. It is amazing how insular we can become, and so quickly. “We only know best, as far as the information we once learnt is still relevant!”
Don’t overwork, continuously! Why? Because you cannot keep beating your body into the ground. Just look around you and see how many friends, family and colleagues have come back from a blood test and been commanded to ‘slow down right now, or else’. If you regularly require more than 10 hours to complete your average work day, then there is a need for an immediate review.
After 9.00pm, walk away from the computer. Neurologists have been telling us for years that computer screens often impact negatively on the amount and quality of sleep we strive for.

Little of this has to do with time management. Nor is this blog about strategy. However, if you cannot handle yourself properly and appropriately, do not expect that your assignments will be completed to the standard you desire. You might get away with it once, but it does not work in the long term. That means that the higher up you are in your corporate, the more likely that the organisation may not deliver the correct profit margins, because of you.

And by way of a bonus, here is one last idea. Try to find a way to spend time helping others. It is amazing how this can give you a feel good factor and then how this inspiration can be transposed back to your work space!

9 January 2017

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Jerusalem

Last Wednesday, Sgt Elor Azaria was found guilty of shooting dead a Palestinian terrorist, who was already incapacitated. The verdict, based on a 10 month military trial, sparked a sharp response from his supporters, which in turn prompted calls for an immediate pardon from many, including from the Prime Minister.

The weekend papers were full of commentaries. And yet by Sunday afternoon, the event had been forgotten. First, a junior Israeli diplomat had been caught on camera, explaining how he could help reduce the credibility of British politicians. What a fool! And then, terror returned to the streets of Jerusalem, as a terrorist drove into and murdered four soldiers.

The Azaria case had been forgotten, ostensibly. But it had left behind a terrible, yet hidden, cost.

Let us establish a few facts. First, dubbed a hero by family and fanatical supporters, Azaria is not a hero. In the heat of a moment, a soldier with an excellent track record up to then, made a mistake. His second mistake was not to own up to it, back to defend his offensive actions.

A third mistake was made by his commanding officer, who probably had not given clear orders. And all of this appears to have been compounded by a legal team, whose miscalculations ensured that Azaria gave contradictory evidence at the trial.

Just to make things worse, money was raised to support the family and the legal action. As of now, there is no transparent accounting of the sums. And the PR campaigner and former Member of the Kenesset, Sharon Gal, having helped the Azaria family at first, mysteriously went underground for a couple of weeks. Bizarre.

For the record, I fully agree with the journalist Sivan Rahav Meir. She individually read out the forgotten names on prime time of the Israelis killed recently by terrorists, defining them as the real heroes.

So why did the Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, and the Minister of Education, Naftali Bennett, and others rush out to call for a pardon, even before an appeal had been launched? Why did they not wait for the end of the legal process.

Their actions effectively called into question the trial procedure, which they are supposed to stand up for. Further, they undermined the authority of the Chief of Staff, and have yet to retract in public. In others words, at a time of immense pain for the country – a moment, when the nation was calling out for leadership – they were looking after their own constituencies. They sought to divide. That is disgraceful and unacceptable!

In particular, Netanyahu seems increasingly insular. He has reportedly compared his losing a previous election and having to leave the Prime Ministerial home to those settlers evicted from their houses by the courts. He is currently being investigated for allegedly asking a newspaper to curtail its criticism of him in return for favours for its owner. And so the list goes on.

The Azaria case was described in one headline as the ‘bullet that woke up the country’. In my view, that is not what has shaken everybody.

The complete lack of strong moral direction from the senior political leadership is creating a vacuum in society. Others are filling the gaps. The string of mistakes in the Azaria story exposed this gaping and widening hole. The establishment appears unable and unwilling to do anything about it, and that is what hurts more than anything.

2 January 2017

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

Like the song in the Sound of Music, 16 going on 17, Israel’s economy seems poised to have another year of success.

Contrary to the predictions of many pundits, the statistics coming out of the Holy Land for 2016 really rock it. Boasting a 3.5% growth spurt, the Bank of Israel has calculated that the standard of living leapt by 2.9%. Unemployment dropped to a record low of 4.8%. Private consumption was up by 5.9%. Per capita growth rose 1.5%.

To paraphrase one of the skeptics, Sever Plocker, the upturn has secured a stable currency. In turn, the ration between GDP (the size of the economy) to the country’s debt has fallen to just over 60%. Most European countries are nowhere near this excellent level, which was actually a target set to met in about ten year’s time!

As for next year? Growth is set for a further 3.2% jump. Corporation tax will drop by one per cent to 24%. Income tax for the middle classes is to be reduced. The amount of guaranteed holidays for lower grade workers will increase. And the Tel Aviv stock market, which was stagnant in 2016, is projected to move up about 8%.

The stuff of Disney tales, indeed. Most of the OECD countries would settle for even half of all of this good news.

Unfortunately, beneath the headlines, there is another economy. The other stat that caught my eye last week was that approximately 20% of all Israeli families are looked after by social services. This includes 50% of those aged over 75 and nearly 23% of children aged between 12 and 17. Unacceptable.

Israel is a country of two economies!

In many other countries, that state of affairs could be seen as a threat to social stability. In Israel, the situation, as ever, is more complex. And if I can generalise for a moment: Ultra-orthodox Jews tend to have large families, yet tend to live modestly and are supported by an extensive system of charities. And large Arab families are still far better off than others in neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.

Nevertheless, it is not a situation that should be taken for granted. More highly religious Jews are entering the workforce. There are schemes to encourage high-tech start-ups in the minority sectors. That is not enough, and the country faces key structural challenges that hold back progress.

The price of housing leaves most young couples firmly outside the game.
Regulation is prevalent and increasing, acting as a drain particularly on the SME sector.
There is a glaring lack of competition in the banking sector.
Food prices are kept high as interest groups keep out foreign competition.
The ports have yet to be privatised, thus ensuring continued inefficiencies and unnecessary costs passed on to the consumer.

I am sure that 2017 will turn in another set of fine numbers at a macro level for the Israeli economy. Mazaltov! My fear is that more and more people will be left behind in the process. In that scenario, there is rarely a happy ending. More needs to be done to ensure that this progress is enjoyed by a greater number, and not just the privileged families running the government.

21 December 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Israel, Jerusalem

The world is trying to prepare itself for the ‘rule of Trump’. Few predicted it, but he won. And that gross misunderstanding is forcing politicians, professors, social scientists and mathematicians – amongst many others – to work out where they went wrong.

Enter into the equation Mrs. Sivan Rahav-Meir, a fascinating personality on the Israeli scene. Academically clever, articulate, born secular but found religion, journalist, tv and radio presenter, author……and the list goes on. At a private function on Tuesday in Jerusalem, she was asked to speak about the implications for Israel of the Trump victory.

She listed five points, most of which can be applied generically. To summarise her first four points: –

Clearly the proponents of the Obama-Kerry-Clinton constellation have not been reading their political maps correctly. When Kerry stumbled in Paris at a press interview over what he tried to justify as “rational” for a terrorist, he gave the game away.
Likewise, journalists are not in touch any more. (Yes, she saw the irony in herself, from that profession, making the claim). Just tracking Facebook posts through complex algorithms clearly misses the feelings of core voting groups.
In parallel, but not a contradiction, the established media no longer controls the truth. The crown has passed on to digital media. This was emphasised by how the story was released of Hilary Clinton falling ill at the 7/11 memorial service. By chance, an ex Czech freelance journalist happened to capture the moment and post it.
As “The Economist” magazine mentioned and since embraced by the Oxford English Dictionary, we live in the ‘post truth’ era. Youtube gives us our live news feeds. Just believe it, no?

However, moving to the culminating issue, Rahav-Meir asked if we have to polarise, as the rhetoric of Trump and Clinton forced America to become? We should ask ourselves what do we want from our society? This is where she quoted two people from opposite sides of the normal divides in Israel.

I) A secular journalist opinioned that we all need to wake up. The language or persona of “Reality TV”, usually full of gross exaggerations and which we can turn off under normal circumstances, had won the election. It had walked out of the plasma screen and like an unstoppable force barged into our lives.

II) A rabbi questioned that although Trump may have won, do we have to accept his way of acting? Whether the man accepts it or not, he has verbally abused women, minority groups and others. It is not just that these people have rights, as per the old politically-correct Obama-Clinton message. Man has obligations to others!

Rahav-Meir paused for effect and to let these two observations sink in.

I felt that what she was alluding to is that this message, a bastion of Judaism for me, is one of the main foundation points of modern Israel. You could call it the raison d’etre of the State. However, Rahav-Meir appeared to be warning that a growing set of leading politicians are moving away from this concept of mutual obligations.

That would be so sad if she was to be proved correct, if not down-right ugly.

15 December 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

The phrase “fail fast, succeed faster” is thrown around in the entrepreneurial, particularly by people embracing the lean concept of creating a business.

However, in my role of business coach and mentor, I have come to realise that few executives truly appreciate what it can mean for them. Today, I can across two examples, which clearly illustrate how each and everyone of us can benefit from this train of thought.

Case study number one – “the phone call”. It is amazing how frightening a simple phone call can be. For some people, especially when it comes to cold calling – calling somebody you do not know – this is simply no-go territory. They put it off.

Yet again, I was sitting with a new client, who told me that they had run out of leads. I have two standards responses in this scenario. I ask them if they have completed their list of calls to make for the day, before sitting down with me. Almost invariably the answer is no and nearly invariably the reason is connected to procrastination.

In addition, I encourage them to start looking through their contacts list on their mobile. Who can they call? The immediate response is ‘nobody’. Yet, once the task is completed, the client has had to swallow their words.

What reminded me of this was a posting today on Facebook by a former customer. He had picked out a two minute video by Steve Jobs. The king of Apple made a phone when he was twelve years old, that was to change his life. His message? If you never ask, you are unlikely to fail. There again, you are unlikely to succeed. “You have got to act”!

Case study number two is all about trying to see that which your eyes are hiding from you. For example, I met up with some scientists, who had started out by investigating a cream for the skin for the forehead. Uncertain what the results of their first trials had revealed to them, they consulted with an expert. Apparently, they had discovered the basics of a cure for a disease impacting on millions around the world. Time to write a business plan!

Very often, the core reason why people do not progress in their business venture is that they do not believe in themselves enough. Why? Well, each of us carries our own past.

As Jobs and others show, if we are just prepared to move a touch beyond our supposed comfort zone, we may not triumph immediately, but we are likely to get there eventually.

12 December 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

Karnit Flug, the Governor of the Bank of Israel, was very clear in her most recent survey. Israel’s economy is doing well.

Unemployment is well under 5%. New trade markets are being developed, as European partners continue to struggle after the credit crisis fall out. FDI investment continues to turn up.

Just look at some specific recent key-note successes: –

Microsoft is about to rent invest around US$1 million per month in rent for new office space in Herzylia just north of Tel Aviv.
BMW has announced plans to set up an r&d centre in the Holy Land, via its tech arm “Here”.
Tourism in November 2016 reached an all-time high for that winter month, over 30% better than the same month last year.
And if I had mentioned exports, Israel’s innovative approach to commerce is to allow it to tap into a US$0.25billion international distribution market for market cannabis.

On the structural side, as ever one cannot be complacent. For example, just look at my SME clientele that are swamped with needless paperwork when applying for a loan. Land prices remain high, thus ensuring that young couples are often left out of the bidding process for homes and that office space in the big cities is hard to find. And the prices of basic food staples are driven upwards by monopolies so that the less well off stay…….less well off.

Karnit Flug has done a great job is keeping monetary policy stable, even when banks in great economic powers like Italy are struggling. That is the main role of any central bank. It is now up to the politicians in Jerusalem to rise and to meet those standards, as they determine the fiscal policy and budget for 2017. Why am I not over optimistic on this front?

8 December 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

Last week, I challenged you to ask if your business is really making the impact you are looking for. The subject came up again last night, as I was moderating the monthly meeting of the Jerusalem Business Networking Forum. An excellent audience, filled with entrepreneurs, several were clearly looking to know how to “get into the heads” of target communities.

For example, I met for the first time a young couple, with whom I am about to start some business coaching sessions. Their immediate concern is how to pitch to investors.

I posed to them the following connundrum. Can they create a 45 second generic statement that contains these four points?

We are doing XXXX.
We are doing by using unique tech YYYY, which helps ZZZ market
We arrived at this adventure, because of s0-and-so, …………..a unique and emotional story.
And if this tech had been available then, they would not have had to suffer / sales would have been more significant / or whatever other strong benefit.

The beauty of this approach is that your elevator pitch now contains a ‘wow factor’. Your listener is forced to internalize and consider your offering. If the audience understands nor hears anything else, they will not forget these key messages.

Let me give you a more concrete example of what I mean. A client of mine, Sonya Davidson, pointed out to me a very powerful video on the BBC website. You cannot fail to be impressed with the results, as well as the feelings of the key players.

You clearly react to the message within about 20 seconds of the 3.5 minutes clip . The issue is right there, as is the pain. The scale of the market becomes obvious. And the cavalry – the solution – can be made available to many many others, and in real time. It is worth watching.

Creating this 45 second formula take time and practice – a lot of practice. I have invariably found that the results are rewarding. And that is called ‘impact’.

7 December 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

As an executive business coach and mentor, I am often posed a familiar challenging question by a potential client: “Why should I use your services?”. What they do not realise is at the same time, and more crucially for me, I am asking myself: “Do I want to work with you?”.

Let me explain the conundrum through four brief case studies, and a ‘curve ball’.

I found myself brain storming over my current crop of clients. I began to understand that four of them, while in totally differing commercial sectors, had similar characteristics. (For the sake of anonymity, I shall describe all in the male person and in the Jerusalem area, although this may not be accurate).

Alex is an academically brilliant person, who has been practicing medicine for years. He frequently interrupts me, because he believes – usually incorrectly – that he knows how to respond before I have finished my statement. His business has known better days, but he feels he knows what needs to be done. How can he improve his sales flow?
Bert is in the wellness sector. Highly experienced, but again struggling for new clients. However, he has been refusing to come up with new ideas.
Colin is young and dynamic. He is seeking to creating a marketing agency in a field that is incredibly competitive.
David is a painter. Talented and ambitious, he gives the impression that he feels clients should find him. He does not want to have to chase the money.

Different people. Contrasting backgrounds and ages. Each looking to move ahead in their own field of commerce. And each one has turned to me. Why? Because, for all their excuses and bravado – some more than others – they are stuck. they are not doing what they want to do and make money from it.

Yet despite their diversities, my role is similar in each instance. I am there to motivate them!

Motivate them to do what? First, to accept that what they have been doing to date does not work well enough. And thus second, to encourage them to change. Third, to explain that what they may see as obstacles can be overcome, again with a innovative approach.

In contrast, let me introduce the curve ball. Every now and again, I am contacted by somebody who just wants one session, because that is what they feel is needed to move ahead. This is when I ask myself if that person is really interested in changing. My experience dictates that such a move does not come about in an hour, as I wave a magic wand.

Alex has learnt to accept that his many talents and clever responses do not drive a successful business model on their own. Bert has found a new form of “wellness” for himself, which is seemingly encouraging to search for clients. Colin has preserved, developing new revenue channels. And David, well early days just yet, but the game is on and he knows it.

Change is a process. Most of us appreciate that it needs to eventuate, and many come to the difficult conclusion that we cannot do it by ourselves. With some irony, the spouse or partner is not always heard as the voice of encouragement. And thus a neutral, external and professional source is required, which can also inspire trust. That is why people use executive coaches and mentors.

1 December 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

Last month, I attended the award ceremony for the Mass Challenge Competition in Jerusalem. An amazing event, it highlighted ten champion commercial start ups in front of an audience of close to a thousand people.

If there was one word that was repeated throughout the evening, it was the phrase “impact”. How can the participants challenge and change their target community? The videos and speeches dutifully drove home the point, repetitively.

Since then, I have not stopped thinking about this word “impact”. It is incredibly obvious, and yet very powerful. So I applied it to several of my clients in business coaching and mentoring sessions. For example: –

When approaching investors with a presentation, I asked what they that will say within 30 seconds that will force the listener to respond: “Wow, I must be a part of this”?
When selling professional services – health, accounting, computing, etc – I questioned how their smile will ensure that the person signs up immediately without further pesky questions over the price and timing?
When talking with colleagues and employees at work, I urged my customers to consider what will motivate them to go the proverbial ‘extra mile’.

I can hear some of you asking: “Well is this not just my elevator- pitch?” In a sense, yes…but not only.

Too many of us glibly find a five line throwaway and hope that does the trick. The other person is expected to be impressed. What I am suggesting here is that those precious words strike the person in such a manner that they have to consider a change of approach. It becomes a ‘no brainer’.

Let me describe a case study, which I was involved with not so long ago. My client showed me a video, which she had created. Great idea, but it was boring and failed to highlight most of the leading strengths of her team. Awkward!

So, we discussed her positives, coated them with two emotional stories for flavouring, and guess what? People are beginning to listen to her. She is looking forward to recruiting some new customers of her own. She even left my Jerusalem office with a smile.

So what is it that you do that really make a difference on your target community, and how well do you carry out that task?

28 November 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

One of the classic questions that I am often asked as a business coach is how much should people charge for their services.

I am a trained economist by profession. So I dutifully profer advice about the level of the direct costs, including raw materials. Then there are overheads, such as rent. And ignore at your peril financial charges, including loans to be repaid.

Of course, there may be local factors to consider. This is not just a case a looking at the state of the competition. For example, many of my clients are based in Jerusalem, where there are two predominant population groups that force prices downwards.

However, beyond these issues is a factor that many buyers will gleefully encourage you to ignore. And this is where you, as the seller of your product or service, stand to lose big time. Let me illustrate what I mean with a fable that my wife sent me. (I assume that it is taken from somewhere on the internet).

A ship engine failed. No one could fix it. They brought in a man with 40 years. on the job. He inspected the engine carefully, top to bottom. After looking things over, the guy reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. The engine was fixed! 7 Days later the owners received his bill for 10k. ‘What?!’ the owners said ‘You hardly did anything. Send us an itemized bill. ” The two-line reply simply stated …..A) Tapping with a hammer – $2 B) Knowing where to tap – $9,998

Don’t Ever Underestimate Experience!

From a slightly different angle, I will illustrate this point with a true story. A client of mine was recently asked to quote for a contract, a piece of work which he would really enjoy to secure for a multitude of reasons. How should he present his position and win through, I was asked? So I created the following exercise.

Step 1: Think of a high price you would like to charge.

Step 2: Think of a low price that would almost definitely secure the contract.

Step 3: Consider in specific detail the time to be spent in direct meetings, travel time and preparation time. Do not try to minimize these items, because that is rarely a realistic approach!

Step 4: Internalise how your efforts will make a significant difference to the commercial life of the potential client.

Step 5: What is the true value to you of that time?

Step 6: Be honest…………is the answer to Step 5 closer to Step 1 or to Step 2?

Again, never underestimate the value of your experience. And that is expressed in the amount of time you invest, whether it is two minutes or two months.

21 November 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

Last week’s post about how Israeli commerce impacts on the UK economy turned out to be a mild understatement. Last week, 400 Israeli and British entrepreneurs participated in a conference in London, known as “Mind The Tech”, as the logo played on the theme of the London Underground.

The “noise” and out put of the meet-up was phenomenal, and it is worth recording some of the salient points.

The British ambassador to Israel, David Quarrey,noted how 60 Israeli companies in the UK have reported increased activity in the past two months.
Liam Maxwell, the UK’s National Technology Advisor, stated openly that Israel has not only brought its know-how to the island. This change has had a direct and positive impact on creating new jobs.
Of the 2,200 companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange, 29 are Israeli, a relatively high proportion for such a small country.
As the UK is creating its own version of the ‘start up’ nation, it has never hidden its desire to copy the Israeli model.
The conservative forces of the UK’s banking system are gradually coming to realise that they have to turn to Israeli Fintech leaders to protect themselves from threats and to keep ahead of competitors. Ironically perhaps, it is Brexit that has put those issues in front of everybody’s closed eyes.

In many ways, Brexit is forcing the UK to think like an island again, as if the past five decades have been a blip.

This trend draws a parallel to Israel, which has comparatively little trade with its own neighbours. High-tech has more than saved the economy of the Holy Land. It has allowed for the creation of commerce, simply by going around many of the obvious borders, tariffs and other obstacles….significantly downsizing that island syndrome. So far in 2016, a year of yet more international instability, investment in Israeli high-tech is 35% higher than last year.

And that is why the UK is so determined to work with Israel more than ever, for thae mutual benefit of all peoples from both nations.

12 November 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Israel, Jerusalem, Palestinians

For a country of a little over 8 million people, Israel has more than its fair section of minority interest groups.

It is not just that about 25% of the populace is not Jewish. There are Muslim Arabs, as well as Christian Arabs. Bedouins and Druze do not see themselves as Arabs. Moving along, you have the ultra orthodox people, who can then be subdivided, and so the listings go on. And all of this is wrapped around the geopolitical instability of the region.

And through all of this, Israeli society has some amazing positive things to teach others. Last week, I mentioned the amazing work at Beit Issie Shapiro – teaching autistic kids of all backgrounds to communicate via an Ipad. this work has received the blessing of the UN. Previously, I had referred to the ever increasing role of women in Israeli society, despite many internal religious pressures.

What is pleasing to see is that these patterns of change are continuing. In the past two weeks, different news agencies have informed us that:

A) There is a special business accelerator for start ups led by Israeli women. To date, participants in the programme have raised US$20 million.

B) Lucy Aharish is an amazingly talented TV presenter. She has been prominent in celebrations of Israel’s Independence Day. And she is very proud of her Arab heritage, which she uses to break down barriers presented by all sides. Her story and triumphs should be an inspiration for all.

C) And then there is the university scene. The latest set of stats refer to 2014, when 3,600 additional students enrolled. Most of these come from the ultra orthodox sector, which are not normally associated with tertiary education. In total, females make up nearly 59% of the numbers, again somewhat surprising as there are so many conservative forces at work.

What does this all add up to? No, Israeli is not a perfect society, although I have yet to find such a thing. On the other hand, the efforts to create a pluralistic society in the Holy Land, where opportunity is available for all, are truly producing results that need to be observed if not copied by others.

2 November 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

A recent blog from “entrepreneur.com” considered 10 bad habits to eliminate from your daily routine. No surprise that the first three referred to cutting back our use of mobile tech or similar.

True, but I felt that the item was lacking. After all, what prompts us – well, most of us – to spend so much time on Facebook or just checking, yet again, if somebody has sent us that one email which hopefully will change our lives?

I found my way to the website of super Australian life coach, Sharon Pearson. She stresses a theme that is very important to me and what I often explain to my clients as a business mentor in Israel. Do not let others dictate how you should think nor let them dictate what is important for you.

Pearson phrases it slightly differently:

Take responsibility for changing your thoughts. I found this very difficult in the beginning, because I was so used to the negative thoughts. i was kinda hooked on them, because I layed the victim! When I chose to take responsibility for them, no exceptions, my thoughts started to change.

Last week, I wrote that: “Our negativity will ensure that bad things will happen.” We have more ability than we realise to take control of what we want to do.

This very theme came up with a client of mine in Jerusalem a few days ago, a self employed exec who has created a business from nothing. Yes, they are going through some business problems, which is stressing. Their natural default mode is almost predictably one of despair. In contrast, what I am trying to show them is that these same issues present an opportunity to change things around and then to move ahead.

The alternative for people like that? Yup, we can bury our sorrows in prolonged and distracting conversations on Facebook. At least that would allow somebody to write a blog about the habit.

26 October 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Israel, Jerusalem, Palestinians

The Western Wall Plaza in the heart of the old city of Jerusalem is arguably the holiest site in the world. In a proximity important to three great religions, people have been allowed to practice the beliefs freely since it fell into Israeli control in June 1967.

This week, UNESCO will vote on a resolution that effectively abrogates Jewish and Christian history. In an effort to denigrate Israel, the organisation will call for sanctions against the Jewish state. And it is this clear divide between the reality of pluralism as opposed to the world of vicious political or diplomatic manipulations that brought me to question:

‘What else does the world not want to hear about Israel?’.

With incredible timing, this morning I came across three seemingly unrelated pieces of news. Individually, they may be interesting. Together, they reveal a society in Israel that is bubbling, at least partially integrated, and continually struggling to improve despite of all the surrounding external threats. For example: –

Let me deliberately start with some news from the military. The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) has just completed its latest and largest programme to induct people with special needs. In the past few days, 80 young recruits finished a basic training course and are starting to find their way to their designated units.

Then there is the contentious issue as to how Israel treats Palestinians. Now I am not going to boast that all is rosy. However, I can say that this week, I will be starting with a new client who may claim that he is a Palestinian. And this video clip presents a whole different take to what is reported in places like the New York Times and similar. War is created through distrust, while on the ground Israel is doing much to break down barriers with Palestinians.

Number three on my list is actually a set of three women: Miriam Banki, Adenko Sabhat Haimovich and Esther Tapeta Gradi. Not exactly household names. All three ladies were appointed as judges a couple of weeks ago, not something you would see in most other Middle Eastern countries.

And now look again. Banki’s teenage daughter was murdered last year, when she marched in a gay a parade. There was mass condemnation at the outrage, and this “promotion” must also be seen in that context. In contrast, Haimovich and Gardi were born in Ethiopia. And for all the struggles of the community which has emigrated from there, they represent the progress towards integration that has been made over the decades, and the more that still needs to be done.

Yes, Israeli society is not perfect. However what these stories and anecdotes illustrate is that UNESCO’s resolution today is based on one big fabrication. Is it not ironical, sad and shaming that the leading global agency for cultural integration is promoting a modern form of that classic hatred, known as anti-Semitism?

25 October 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

When hopes and dreams are dashed, they are often replaced by self-doubt, pessimism, accusations, and anger.

Thus wrote Dr. Robert Brooks in yet another excellent monthly blog. He considers the balance between being optimistic whilst having to consider the possibility of failure.

Brooks has long concentrated on the theme of resilience and how it can be developed in most of us from an early age. The key factor is to have at least one individual around us, who understands and actively supports our feelings.

So what happens if you miss out and enter adulthood without that security blanket? Many of my clients are entrepreneurs, and not just in the field of high-tech. And while I am no psychologist – I am a business mentor and coach, operating primarily in the Jerusalem area – it does not take me too long to assess if a new customer fits the “Brooks ticket”.

And I readily accept that even those people who are not business owners and maintain responsible positions of employment, they too have their setbacks. Can you prepare yourself for those disappointments?

The answer is obviously yes, every one in their own field of activity. However, Brooks offers up a more interesting question, one which is far more far pertinent to my line of work. Why do so many of us spend so much time working out what we will do if something might go wrong – thinking up layer upon layer upon layer of awkward scenarios?

It is almost as if we are encouraging the oedipus effect. Our negativity will ensure that bad things will happen. Alternatively, as Brooks states, we can be more aware of the possibility of ‘success’, a word that so many of my clients seem afraid to contemplate. “What we do have more control over than we realise is our attitude towards and response to those events”, which we cannot influence.

In other words, if something does go wrong, the default thinking should be that you probably handle it, even if that will not be a simple task.

But let me go further. I wish I had a dollar for the number of times people say to me: “What if such and such a bad thing happens”? It may. It should not be ignored. Without being naïve or dismissive, I often throw back a curve-ball and ask: “But what if it does not and what if you achieve your goal”.

I never cease to wonder how people seem so shocked and aghast about embracing the concept that they may do well.

16 October 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

One of those recurring themes in business coaching is sales: “I want more clients”, my own customers scream at me. And it is amazing how time and again, the solution lies in their own hands.

Here are two of my standard tips to jolt people forward, and they succeed time after time.

The first was written up very succinctly now so long ago as a case study in “Inc.com”. They focused on a young CEO, who was faced by an slightly docile sales team. So, she challenged them all to contact the five people they most wanted to meet in order to conclude their next deal. The results were phenomenal and very dynamic.

When you think about it, the concept is very simple. However, many of us are put off by it immediately with a subconscious thought of “why would these ‘great’ want to talk to somebody like me”. Maybe? Possibly? But if you do not try, you will never know. After all, what have you got to lose except five minutes of your time?

Just recently, I put this trial in front of two sophisticated CEOs. Within a week, one had completed three first meet-ups with key potential clients. The other had greeted me very dubiously, but by the end of our session had enthusiastically listed the names to ten “must-to-contact” rainmakers.

A second tactic is again somewhat obvious but frequently ignored. Go and seek some testimonials, and then publish them. The point is that many of us are persuaded by seeing a review, preferably a visual comment, by somebody who has used your product or service and not been disappointed.

Let me rephrase this. When we look for a plumber or an electrician, we often ask a friend or a neighbour for a recommendation. Similarly, request others to promote you. It is bizarre how so many of us are reticent to do so.

To take this thought one step further, I was watching Sky News last week, when a serial entrepreneur gave a plug to a new website called Social Superstore. This allows you to recommend to others products that you have bought. If they also purchase the item, then you receive a financial reward.

And as a business coach, the best piece of news I can give my clients is that these ideas can be repeated almost continuously. Even better, while much of my client reach is in the Jerusalem region in Israel, these marketing principles can be applied globally.

As I remarked above, quite often the path to higher sales is right in front of us. What we may lack is the clarity to see the opportunity and then the confidence to seize it.

10 October 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

I have just read an amazingly important blog entitled “7 brutal life lessons everyone has to learn multiple times” .I specifically liked the emphasis on the line that “you cannot stay the same forever, and trying to do so will hurt you”.

With respect to the author, Nicolas Cole, I feel that he could have added one further point: Dealing, and then utilising, anger.

We all get angry, especially at work. As a business coach, I am frequently asked by clients how they should handle a supplier who does not perform, or a client who does not pay, or a colleague just…does not. And here’s the funny thing. In over 90% of the cases:

a) My customer finds it difficult to pin point just what ‘hurts’ them

b) The reason is often because the origin of the problem lies……with their own initial actions. And how most of us hate to admit that we are at fault!

Here is a personal anecdote that happened to me over the past few days. I was excluded from a project that I believed that I should have been part of and had a lot to contribute to. I appealed to various parties, as my voice registered increasing displeasure. It took me 24 hours to understand why I was annoyed, if not angry, and at whom.

However, in the process, I found myself going back several months to how the story had unraveled. Sure enough, I had to admit that could have and should have acted differently, and that is not just with the benefit of hindsight. Ouch. Painful for me!

(For the record, my initial position has not changed, but the parties are reconciled and still friends).

And now for the second point. There is second level to handling our anger. This is where you need to invoke some cognitive thinking.

For example, in sport, athletes curse injuries. Yet, the transmission period offers a time for reflection. First, they can use the time for other activities. They can also consider if they have been training properly, considering what has happened. The net result, after all the initial cursing, can be a stronger, better prepared and happier person.

In my case, I have began to use the rejection to consider where else I can be of use. I have already begun to direct my abilities in other areas, where the same project has not been so successful. I am still annoyed at what was, but I have achieved has also been recognized.

Bottom line? Much our anger resides in faults or mistakes that we are ultimately responsible for. It is not always so easy to accept that. Once you do so and then find the cognitive path to turn things to your advantage, then everyone becomes a winner.

5 October 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

As ever, the international media is full of crisis events – the murdering in Aleppo or the childish debate between two seemingly mature American politicians. However, quietly and without too much drama, something significant happened in the Middle East. There again, as somebody once said, miracles are supposed to happen in the Holy Land?

I am not talking about how two top British politicians and foes since schooldays, Johnson and Cameron, amazingly managed to patch things up over a whisky in a Jerusalem bar. Nor am I referring to the fact that Charles Prince of Wales surreptitiously visited a Jerusalem church to pay homage to the grave of his grandmother…….despite the pathetic attempts to keep the event ‘hush hush’.

Dig deeper and look again.

First, Israel has just appointed two lawyers of Ethiopian backgrounds to become judges. And they are female. While the Ethiopian community still sufferers from discrimination from specific sections of society, this decision is a significant step forward towards greater integration.

And second, if we are talking of women, it is time to praise the Israeli army, a bastion of male domination. According to an article in the Hebrew press: –

85% of all jobs in the military are now fully open to the female sex.
8% of all female recruits now have a combat role, up 400% since 2012.
24% of all technology based jobs are filled by women, and this stat is growing annually.
It is evident that sooner rather than later several women will be members of the general staff

In other words, in a country were both the ultra orthodox and Arab communities are very conservative in nature and which has a police force that has been riddled with sex scandals, the Israeli army is showing others that an alternative route is possible.

And the question remains: Where else in the Middle East would you find such a determination to create a more equal and fairer society? I suggest to you that the answer is only in Israel.

27 September 2016

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Categories: Afternoon Tea in Jerusalem, Business, Israel, Jerusalem

There are hundreds of multinationals operating in Israel. Typically Siemens, Microsoft, Google and many more have their own r&d centres, usually near the costal plain. Just recently, there are indications that their customary approach to the ‘start up nation’ of the Middle East has begun to change. For example: –

Intel

Intel chose Israel as the first country, when it decided to build plants outside America. Today, it now has three facilities in the Holy Land, and at least three generations of chips have emerged from the land of miracles.

Intel’s latest contribution to Israel is to create a smart development centre. It is designed to house 2,500 personal in a state of the art, environmentally friendly complex. Recycling, shared info , customised air-conditioning and much more are its focus points. It will be a show piece to the world.

2. Samsung

Samsung this week officially brought its ‘early stage tech investment project’ to Israel. It has a simple yet determined aim. The Korean company is looking to invest around US$1 million in ‘the next technology’. The company has previously bought control of several Israeli start ups. So this move is a natural extension of this policy. It can be seen as a relatively cheap way to discover a competitive advantage over its rivals.

3. Sequoia and Benchmark Funds

Sequoia and Benchmark are American finance houses, which over the past two decades have invested heavily in the Israeli economy. Both have set up full local offices and raised monies for these operation.

Sequoia has led locally five rounds of financing, raising around US$780 million since 1999. In return, they have secured some of the largest exists in the market. For example, Ravello was sold to Oracle for US$430 million earlier this year. And Benchmark can report on similar successes.

All this is about to change. Neither of the two local offices will be raising more sums. Instead, any local investments will have to be financed by the funds from the American offices.

And then coming up, there is the multi-faceted conference in London on 16th November, called “Mind The Tech”. This will premier Israel’s leading high-tech figures – entrepreneurs, funders, accelerators and more – with their equivalents in the UK. The size of the event is nearly unprecedented, and just goes to show the continuing interest from large parties in the start up scene in the Holy Land.

Pages

The BDS game. Is it possible to boycott Israel?

5 tips for the boss who works hard, but cannot clear their desk

The true pain to Israeli society of the Elor Azaria shooting

16 going on 17 – Does Israel’s economy have a year of Disney dreams ahead?

What Trump means for Israel, and others – an alternative approach

Fail fast, succeed faster? 2 takes on what that means to you

Israel’s economy in good shape – here’s why

Making an impact (2) – A golden method to start an investor presentation

4 reasons why you may need an executive coach, and how to choose one

Does your business make an impact?

One golden rule when charging for your service

UK-Israel commercial relations – a new high

Minority groups in Israel – something’s changing

If you could eliminate one bad work habit……

Israeli society – 3 things you never knew

The entrepreneur. The setbacks. The business mentor

Angry at work? 2 non-fail paths towards a resolution

Did you see the change in the Middle East last week?

How multinationals view Israel – 3 perspectives and a bonus

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