Business Seminars in Fukuoka Surpass any Previous JCI Congress Seminars

Tuesday, November 23, 2004, was Business Speakers Day -- a full day of non-stop professional and inspirational training -- at the 59th JCI World Congress in Fukuoka. Congress delegates had the opportunity to learn from several of the best motivational speakers in the world -- Allan Pease, Bruce Rector, Fujio Cho, Jennifer Kushell, Koichi Wakata, Leopoldo Alcalá, Oabona Kgengwenyane, Stephen R. Covey, and Tadao Ando.

ALLAN PEASE -- Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps

"Dramatic new research reveals the 'wiring' of male and female brains is significantly different and affects how each perceives the world," said Pease. He discussed what men and women need to do to succeed in business; how to avoid arguments, disagreements and conflict; and why "women talk and men retreat."

Delegates learned how to read between the lines of what others say and understand body language. They learned about persuasion and about a technique for getting others to say "YES." Pease showed delegates how to live longer through humor, and "smile your way into the heart, mind and trust of others in business and personal relationships."

BRUCE RECTOR -- Thinking Differently: How to earn trust and be respected as an outstanding leader

"Outstanding leaders break through old habits of thinking to uncover fresh solutions to recurring challenges," said Rector. "They eliminate personal barriers to genuinely connect with people and to motivate them to take action."

Rector taught attendees how to overcome any cynicism regarding their responsibilities, how to find meaning and purpose in what they do, how to help others overcome their own doubts and fears, and how to achieve more than they believed possible.

Rector related personal stories to explain how delegates could achieve more of their goals by “thinking differently” about the way they approach their daily lives and the people around them.

FUJIO CHO -- Grow Young Leaders the "TOYOTA way"

Fujio Cho, one of the great prides of corporate Japan, related to delegates his experiences managing factories in the United States, where he developed his method to "grow young leaders the TOYOTA way."

Delegates learned important leadership principles from Cho, who was appointed President of Toyota Motor Corporation in 1999. Cho led Toyota Motor Corp. to record profits even as the economy sank in 2002. He also made strides toward making Toyota a bigger global player. Under the leadership of Fujio Cho, Toyota expects sales abroad to increase 5 percent to 4.57 million units in 2004, while production outside Japan will rise 15 percent to 2.97 million.

JENNIFER KUSHELL -- Secrets of the Young and Successful: How Young Entrepreneurs Around the World Build Successful Businesses

Kushell spoke about the "Young & Successful, young people who are striving for more and are making extraordinary things happen." According to Kushell, the Young & Successful "project an exhilarating aura of freedom and independence, and do what many others only dream about."

In this powerful presentation, delegates discovered a special world of thought, action and achievement. They learned how the Young & Successful develop powerful strategies and acquire unique insights to achieve remarkable goals, build powerful organizations, catapult to the top of their fields, and find personal and professional satisfaction.

KOICHI WAKATA -- Leadership for Space Missions

Koichi Wakata is a Japanese astronaut and a veteran of two NASA space shuttle missions. He taught attendees about effective teamwork by discussing how astronauts endeavor to think and act as a team to achieve successful space missions. He discussed the education and the training required by astronauts, as well as his experiences as an astronaut, his training, and his work in cooperation with astronauts from 15 nations.

Wakata, born August 1, 1963, in Omiya, Japan, earned a masters degree in applied mathematics from Kyushu University in 1989. After working as a structural engineer for Japan Airlines, he was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1992 and trained at NASA's Johnson Space Center. He flew aboard STS-72 in 1996 and STS-92 as a mission specialist.

LEOPOLDO ALCALÁ -- How to POWER-Achieve Entrepreneurial Success

Alcalá taught delegates how to produce "the results that determine their development as leaders and entrepreneurs," how to accelerate that development, and how to engage forces that leverage their potential for increased personal power. He shared ideas that attendees could use to ignite their motivation, enhance their productivity, and POWER-achieve their goals.

The knowledge and tools presented by Leo Alcalá will give delegates the power to achieve better results. His dynamic, passionate and entertaining style impacted delegates.

OABONA KGENGWENYANE -- Scenario Planning

According to Kgengwenyane, the authors of The Mind of the Fox sent an open letter to President Bush warning him that a terrorist attack on a major American city was possible, and they knew about it by applying "scenario planning."

"Scenario Planning is a tool that takes a long view in a world of uncertainty," says Kgengwenyane. "Scenarios are possible outcomes that can help managers adapt to changing aspects in their present environments, showing them how to make choices today understanding what their effects might be."

"Organizations such as Shell and ICL and countries such as Canada and South Africa have used scenarios to become competitive and create a framework for a shared vision of the future," said Kgengwenyane.

STEPHEN R. COVEY -- The Power of Focus and Execution

Covey believes that most employees possess far more talent, energy and resources than they are required or even allowed to use. He claims that people are a company's greatest asset, and yet their potential and creativity are often straight-jacketed instead of released. He says that the problem is that we are using an industrial-age model of command and control in this knowledge-worker age.

To help attendees develop the power of Focus and Execution, he showed them how to release the potential of employees so they are focused and working toward the same, agreed-upon top priorities, to achieve the overall effectiveness of the organization.

Dr. Covey's speech also touched on the importance of spirituality. The audience responded with a standing ovation.

TADAO ANDO -- Create your own Future

Tadao Ando of Osaka, Japan, is Pritzker Architecture Prize winner, who has emerged as a cultural force in the world. He tries to restore the unity between house and nature (light and wind) that was lost in the process of modernizing Japanese houses during the rapid growth of the fifties and sixties.

Ando told attendees they should avoid the effects of mass production and consumption, as well as other extraneous influences, and create they own future. According to Ando, the scars left by rapid and uncontrolled growth affect the daily life of Japanese people, many of whom feel that it's time to return to their time-honored tradition "to cherish all things under the sun." Ando discussed his architecture, which represents a return to that tradition.

After the seminars, receptions and parties galore

A cocktail hosted by JCI Ireland, a Reception hosted by JCI Russia, a Senate Dinner, and a JCI Academy Reunion were scheduled for the night. Additionally, delegates enjoyed food and great music for dancing at four different parties organized by African, Indian, Korean and Latin American delegates.

Many supporters of Kevin Cullinane, candidate for JCI President in 2005, attended the cocktail party hosted by JCI Ireland and enjoyed the candidate's short but inspirational speech.

More photos courtesy of JCI’s Official Photographer Junichi Kaku. . .

  NEXT >>