Coromandel Life Magaizine 2017 Winter

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attracts practical people. Onsite training
has included people management, health
and safety, day-to-day tasks, monthly
reconciliations, stock control, and staff
management.
We have also done training off site in
subjects like food safety, armed hold up,
first aid, fire training, and site management.
How has this affected you personally?
I’m a lot happier person today than when I
started, because I have learned a lot which
has enabled me to look ahead in life and
feel more secure.
Having opportunities – offered to me
through people like Lester and his Future
Stars Programme – have completely
changed me as a person. I now have a
focus and a direction to both better myself
and improve my family’s life. I am able to
employ my own teenage daughter which
gives her an opportunity, through my
development.
Lester gave me the motivation to aim
higher than I ever thought I could. And
to not stop just because I have already
achieved something. Always aim for the
next level ... and have focus and a dream.
“Team members realised that with a bit
of planning, they could move themselves
off minimum wage quickly. They became
incredibly motivated and staff retention
dramatically improved.”
The team members became like family
with Lester the proud father watching
them become ‘Stars’. “Some have gone
on to hold senior roles, many have moved
on to other businesses and some even
ended up owning their own businesses.”
“We don’t own our staff but as
an employer we should own their
development. I have always been happy
for staff to leave my business if they are
advancing themselves.”
Lester has realised the innate value of
his ‘people first, team first’ philosophy.
“Having a motivated, empowered team
actually allowed me to achieve my own
goals and dreams!
“And it doesn’t matter how big or small
a business is”, says Lester. “Developing
your team members’ skills will motivate
and empower them to take hold of their
own destinies. There is no feeling quite
like that of facilitating, not only your own
dreams, but igniting the dreams of others
as well.
“Life is short and we should live every
day of it. Helping others live a better life is
rewarding, satisfying and fulfilling.”
If you’d like to invite Lester to help you implement a
Future Stars Programme in your business or speak to your
group or organisation, contact him at 021 757 599, cx01841@
or find him on facebook – lester.gray.79.
Future Stars
programme kept
staff ‘fire survivor’
on the path to success
Lester Gray with Future Star graduate
Chrystal Sykes.
Chrystal Sykes was a part time assistant
at the local coffee shop when she
approached me for a job. She told me my
coffee making skills sucked, and I needed
to employ someone with better skills.
I have always employed people based on
their attitude – not their skills – as I believe
in my ability to train and develop staff.
I hired Chrystal and had helped her
develop her skills through the Future Stars
Programme. What was not on the lesson
plan was this: She was the grave yarder
who was on shift when fire destroyed
the entire building. This affected her for
months, but we were able to transfer her
to another site and nurture her through the
recovery. A big part was having a plan for
her to refocus on and some tangible out
comes for her that she could aim for.
Once we reopened, Chrystal assumed the
role of Café Manager. And just 12 months
later, she became Site Manager
– Lester Gray
What has the Future Stars training had on
your life?
Chrystal: Huge! Lester taught me a lot. My
confidence is higher than I have ever had,
and I developed skills I didn’t have. I had
never had opportunities in life to advance
myself and never had a boss prepared to
show me how I could get ahead. Believing
in yourself is massive for anyone.
Lester is the best boss I’ve ever had
because he believed in me, taught me to
believe in myself and was always there
for support.
Training? A lot of our training is on the
job which is great because our industry
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igniting the power of vision
for strategy, simplicity & success
021 257 9249 |
A story from the Middle Ages…
Three stone masons in the Middle Ages
were at work when a visitor came along
and asked them what they were doing. The
first stone mason was hard at work, sweat
beading his brow. “I am cutting this stone,”
he grumbled. The second stone mason,
though less distraught, responded with a
deep sigh, “I’m building a parapet.” The
third stone mason replied with a radiant
face, “I am building a beautiful cathedral
that will glorify God for centuries to come.”
-Author unknown
In a recent discussion with one client, it
was invigorating to witness the change in
focus, energy and attention with what she
was doing. The sheer inspiration and joy she
experienced when she let go of the previous
concept of how her business had to be in
order to fit into the world, and allowed herself
to create a new vision.
She began to ‘see’ that what she really
wanted to do was to give voice to the one
thing that she had always thought made her
different from others, and that she had a truly
amazing gift to share.
Her work remains the same but the drive,
direction, how she perceives her business, her
role in it, her clients and the world has shifted.
She now has a vibrant, resounding sense of
clarity and purpose, is making choices daily
that support and lead her closer to that ‘inner
truth’ of how she really wants her life and her
business to be.
Her radiance is growing along with her
confidence and ability to find new creative
solutions. She is powering ahead in ways that
she always knew she could but couldn’t connect
with. She is now giving herself the opportunity
to achieve the one thing she has ‘always known
that she wanted to be’.
Whatever business or lifestyle we live, we
have the ability to tap into that inner vision and
unlock our passion and purpose. Step beyond
the power of your mind, and unlock the real
authentic you – from your heart.
Unlocking
the power
of your
Inner
Vision!
Leanne has 35 years’ experience in strategic planning,
change management and life coaching. She brings a
wealth of knowledge and insight that enable you to
gain clarity, direction and momentum.
life and business coaching