IT IS globally accepted that the primary asset of a successful business is its human capital. It is not only people's skills but their energy, engagement and effectiveness. The question is what can be done to realise the potential of this human capital, based as it seems, on a bewildering array of individual attributes and human dynamics.
FranklinCovey offers a unique principle centred approach helping organizations and their employees cope with ongoing change, maximising human potential to achieve sustainable success.
It provides many of the world's foremost private and public sector organisations with professional services, to help improve the effectiveness of their people and their enterprise, significantly and measurably.Now these solutions will be available to corporate houses in Qatar.
FranklinCovey Middle East recently announced the appointment of Al Jassim Group as their affiliatein Qatar.
Through this strategic affiliation,Franklin Covey solutions will be brought to the local community in Qatar. A forum to launch the Franklin Covey solutions leading to Sustained Superior Performance and to introduce Stephen R Covey's bestseller The 8th Habit was held here, recently.
The affiliationbetweenFranklinCovey Middle East and Al Jassim Group was sealed during Stephen R Covey's visit to the region to launch the Arabic version of his bestseller.Qatar Today spoke to Huda Al Khawaja, Executive Vice President of FranklinCovey Middle East, to understand the dynamics of the Franklin Covey formula.
|q| What do FranklinCovey programmes offer that others don't?
|a| We are the world leader in assisting people achieve sustained superior performance. Our programmes deal with the key issues which drive performance and goal achievement areas such as effectiveness, productivity, leadership, goal alignment, communication and work / life balance. The programmes are based on values and principles, or as we say: a 'Principle-Centred' approach. Principles that are universal and timeless that can be used at all times regardless of any different situations and/or places. This approach is based on many years of experience and is proven to bring results.
Moreover, we try to leverage ourselves to the best interest of our stakeholders. For example, providing a customised solution that helps clients satisfy their needs and obtain desired results. This is done through a complete process before, during and after the delivery of any programme. We prepare participants before entering into any programme by providing relevant materials (books/audio/video), ask them about their unique situation and conditions, let them participate with energetic spirit during the programme through different teaching methods (games/videos/discussion groups). Our process does not stop here but also continues after the programmes through a follow-up and personal coaching to the participants about what they have learned in terms of knowledge and skills into their real life work and assist them unleash their great potential towards effectively running and executing their life, business, relationships on their highest priorities with honesty and passion. Our programmes are more of Investments rather than expenses! We also offer measurement tools, such as the xQ Survey and Benchmark profilingandfollowup.
|q| What kind of a presence does FC have in the Middle East?
|a| FCME corporate officeisconsidered a regional office for the Middle East region and is based in Dubai. It is responsible for the following GCC states, Jordan, Syria and Iraq.
|q| How did FC modify its training programmes to be relevant in the Middle East?
|a| The best example of our commitment to modifying the programmes to be relevant in the Middle East is our Arabisation Project. The material provided by our Corporate Officehasbeen Arabised and we employ bilingual Consultants and Facilitators.
|q| What are FC's plans for Qatar, What kind of training solutions is being contemplated?
|a| FC has just announced a joint venture with Al Jassim Group of Qatar. They will be our partners and representatives in the State of Qatar. With regards to the training solutions being contemplated, this is not a quick answer. When dealing with any prospective client in any region, we need to understand fully the business needs of the client, and from here we can focus on producing the performance results they seek.
FranklinCovey operates on the 4DL Process:
Diagnose (understand, identify, determine)
Design (Mission, Vision, Values strategy, Overall processes, Measures)
Develop (Test, Develop, Identify, Review)
Deliver (Implement, Involve, Provide Coaching)
Learn (Monitor, Agree, Review, Ongoing Evaluation).
This is all done through FranklinCovey's approach of the Empowered Learning Model that involves preparation, participation and performance.
|q| What are the guiding principles of the 8th Habit?
|a| The 8th Habit is not actually an extension of the 7 Habits. It talks more intensively about leadership and greatness. Leadership is a choice not a position. The book guides you into discovering your voice and inspiring other to discover theirs. By searching for a job/business/life that mentally you are best in, emotionally love and desire, economically benefiting from and spiritually finds a real sense of meaning for life.
It is an amalgamation of Stephen's work and it is about an inside-out approach to great and sustainable leadership behaviour.
|q| What are Stephen Covey's perceptions on the Middle Eastern market? How relevant are his principles with regards to the Middle East?
|a| We believe that Stephen's principles have a universal appeal. They are not country specific or culture specific.
Principles are natural laws. Laws those are not restricted to time, place, religion or any other situation. Like the natural law of gravity. If it works in North America and Europe, will it be relevant with regards to the Middle East? Absolutely. Dr Covey believes that the principles he promotes resonate particularly well in regions such as the Middle East, because in the Middle East there is already a strong and active framework of principles that is embodied in the religious beliefs and in many of the traditional practices.
|q| How will the training models benefitQatar?
|a| There is rapid growth in Qatar, and the leaders have had the vision to invest in people and empower them. To take people through all these initiatives and rapid changes, we need a strong foundation to base our decisions and behaviors on. This foundation is Principles and all FranklinCovey programmes are based on principles. Developing young leaders and preparing them for this knowledge era, and guiding them through challenge with changes are of great benefittoQatar.
|q| What are the guiding principles of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective people?
|a| We believe that high performance is achieved by people who live the principles of effectiveness, in both their personal and professional lives. This programme lays down the foundations for improved and lasting effectiveness and leadership at personal, interpersonal, managerial and organizational levels.
Effectiveness is about producing results now, in ways that increase your ability to achieve results in the future. It's about character, competence and trust in the midst of turbulent change. It's about vision, communication, innovation and achievement, whatever the circumstances which surround you.
Effectiveness is implementing enduring principles that change behaviour and, through improved behavior, achieving the results you seek.
Applicable to people at all levels, the 7 Habits takes delegates on a journey from personal leadership through to 'public victories,' where true interdependence can transform the way they work with others benefiting the performance of the person, their team, and ultimately their organisation. It is based on FranklinCovey co-founder Stephen R Covey's massively influential book, which was a bestseller
By Arya Rudra
© Qatar Today 2006
