Clive Simpkins

The arrogance of some 'imported' executives

Yeah, well, this is Africa. I guess certain Europeans have the notion that we still sleep in trees and eat elephant steaks for breakfast. But it really ticks me off that in the space of just one interview, the Dutch-born Rutger-Jan van Spaandonk [pictured] - Executive Director of Core [who hold the Apple distibution rights] in South Africa can exhibit such astonishing insularity, contempt, rudeness and lack of self-awarenes, all rolled into one. Go read the interview with Techcentral's Duncan McLeod. I'm at a loss for words, other than to suggest a course in EQ would be a damn good start.

The man obviously doesn't understand the correlation between executive behaviour and the brand image or reputation of a product. My sense is, if this is how he behaves in an interview, how would he react if a problem with one of his products was escalated to his level? Not a good prognosis.

Cyberspace Bullies

Great short report from 'The Week' dated 5th September 2009. Click on the image to enlarge.

When you think you have a franchise on God

[Pictured: Paramahamsa Sri Ramakrishna. 1836-1886]

I followed an 'I'm right' type theological debate on Facebook today. I was aghast at the vitriolic attacks from self-proclaimed 'spiritual' people. It triggered the following thoughts, which I posted in response:

1. 'God' in whatever way you may conceive of Her, Him, It, That, the Universal Consciousness, the Higher Self etc. doesn't need 'protection' by anyone. Nor proselytising.
2. The path you are on doesn't matter. It's what you're doing on that path that does.
3. It's not what you say and how much you argue. It's about how you live your authentic, congruent, inner life.
4. One size does not fit all in spiritual development.
5. It's absolutely normal and indeed very necessary to evolve spiritually. That may mean dramatic releases and new embraces.
6. Spiritual development is like peeling layers of an onion. We think we have substance in each until we reach 'nothingness' and yet everything-ness.
7. We grow from lower truth to higher truth.
8. A wise saint (Sri Ramakrishna) said: Religions are like rivers. They all flow into that One ocean called God.

 

Peace! Salaam! Shalom! Shanti!

Discovery Health bad for your mental health

Discovery Health is bad for the mental health of members like me. They must employ a really smart team of people who conspire not to refund *whatever* they can avoid paying.

R 13 000 dentistry bill submitted, they think they're going to reimburse only R 1 200 of it. I don't think so. On pushing the issue, the claim from Cindy and then Haley (her supervisor) in their call centre is that the lab invoice (for just under R 4 000) is 'illegible'. Told Haley that's bullshit. It means that some sigmoid sphincter at Discovery scanned it into their system at an inappropriate resolution since I gave them the pristine *original*. Their e-mail address is a hoot. [email protected] Oxymoron of the week. They need serious help with their member communications.

Haley has until this afternoon to resolve the issue at their time, inconvenience and expense or I shall take this baby to the Ombudsman. I'm sick and tired of paying top dollar for a truly, *truly* crap service. Thumbs down to you Discovery Health. To use a Sefricanism – your non-service is that of slapgatte.