HELEN MARTIN BLOG

The happy secret to better work

Published on February 9, 2012 by Helen MartinLeave a comment

During the past 7 months, I’ve met many professionals, who have chosen to ‘hand in’ their career’s with large organisations in order to ‘do good’ elsewhere. These accountants, lawyers, business analysts and branding experts, felt that they were trading success for happiness, but are they?

As a manager of a team of 35 young, ambitious branding, communications and social responsibility professionals, I understand some of the challenges that today’s managers face. How do you ensure your team’s happiness? That team members feel motivated and focused on the tasks at hand, whilst balancing their private lives and their careers.

I’ve always been convinced that the happier you are, the happier you can make other people and the more successful you can be. So, you can imagine the pleasure I had watching Shawn Achor’s presentation online at TEDx, pretty much confirming my ‘sunny’ point of view.

Happiness is on the opposite side of success. We often think, that we need success in order to be happy. Whereas, all we really need is the happiness advantage. The happier we are, the more successful we can become. Check out “The happy secret to better work” on Youtube, which I believe is 12 minutes well spent.

I live my own life by my own motto, “As soon as you start living yor dreams, your dreams evolve.” By being happy, you can achieve anything you want to, especially your dreams and when you’re happy, you can make everyone around you happy too.

So as a manager of 35 innovative and go-getting professionals, I selflessly start with myself. I ensure that I’m happy, and when that’s done, I ensure that my team members have the tools to make themselves happy. I guess, in my own way, I’m spreading the happiness advantage. And a little, goes a long way to achieving any company’s goals!

So, Soesma, Jeroen, et al, you haven’t traded success for happiness, you’re following you’re dreams. And, it’s only through happiness that you can truly find success!

Target setting for voluntary board members

Published on January 16, 2012 by Helen Martin3 Comments

Last week I attended a cooking workshop hosted by the Eureko Achmea Academy in the Netherlands. 23 businesswomen were given the opportunity to network, to cook together, to eat together and to get to know each other better. There were many interesting people at the event from all sorts of organisations, profit and non-profit.

One of my dinner conversations was with the managing director of a Dutch NGO, which operates globally. It’s my opinion that board members, volunteers or not, should be given annual targets that they should meet. If the board members are unable to meet their targets, then they should be asked to leave the organisation. If they are not adding value, there is no value for the NGO.

If there are definite targets to be met, perhaps prospective board members will think twice before accepting a board position and consider how they can add value and truly help an organisation before accepting the role. Non-executive board positions are often honorary but the strategy of an organisation also needs to be honoured.

The lady I was chatting to, had never considered the concept of target setting for board members, however she thought it was a great idea. What do you think? Do you think it’s fair to set targets for non-executive, voluntary board members of non profit organisations (NGOs).

What do you want to be famous for?

Published on January 8, 2012January 8, 2012 by Helen MartinLeave a comment

I seem to be asking this question of so many people and NGOs lately, “What do you want to be famous for?” This seems a fairly simple question but make no mistake, it’s not a question that’s been answered easily by anyone that I’ve asked.

It seems that we are all so focused on delivery that we’ve forgotten to ask ourselves, what drives us, what makes us tick, how happy we are, how we add value and what we want to be remembered for. What is the short and long term strategy for our success and what are the milestones along the way? Fast forward your life or your organisation 5 or 10 years. Where are you? What are you doing? Are you happy? Are you successful? What are you famous for?

Many years ago my boss told me not to dress for the job I had but, for the job I wanted. Since I wanted his job of course, instead of becoming his clone, I started talking to many woman I respected in my industry. I checked out how they dressed, how they presented themselves, how they used their networks and how they lobbied. I guess I was gathering market information, analysing it and using what I needed in order to make decisions for my own future.

Your personal brand is no different than a company brand with brand values. Who are you? Or better still, who do you want to be? How do you want to be seen by your colleagues, friends or employer? If you were to compare yourself to a product or a company logo, what product or company would you be? What do you need to improve or change about yourself in order to fulfill your brand promise?

You don’t have to have a lifetime of experience behind you. Look back over the last few years and write down what you’ve learned and how you felt when you were learning. Was it an energy draining or energy giving experience. Find out what you enjoy, what gives you that kick, what you’re good at and focus on getting even better at it. Focus on improving the 80% of you that’s already terrific! Write down your mission statement and then write down activities that you need to carry out in order to fulfill your mission statement. Think about what you’ll be doing in 5 years time and write down the things that you need to achieve to get there; your milestones. If you can visualise it and write it down, you can make it happen.

Then communicate, communicate, communicate. Let everyone know who you are and where you’re going. And remember, when in doubt, be yourself!

For Dutch NGOs a few additional words of advice. The clock is ticking. Changing laws in the Netherlands mean that in 2015 many subsidies will cease to exist. So, how will you make your organisation attractive to prospective benefactors. Commercial businesses want to know what’s in it for them. So, do you have your elevator pitch ready for when you speak to the CEO, Marketing or HR Director? These pitches will all be just a little bit different of course. What is your NGO famous for?

Whether you’re a budding student ready to take on the world, an executive with years of experience or an NGO struggling with changes which have yet to come into effect, step off that speeding train and give yourself the time to figure out who you are, who you want to be, and where you’re going. And, remember, keep it simple, it’s not rocket science. It’s your life!

For some tips on building your personal brand, check out Business Insider.

Goodbye 2011. And what a year it was.

Published on December 29, 2011January 1, 2012 by Helen MartinLeave a comment

As soon as you start living your dreams, your dreams evolve. Start living your dreams today!

As 2011 draws to a close, it’s time for reflection. Look back at your successes, learn from your failures and become deliriously excited about the challenges and opportunities that 2012 will bring you. I’ve made a list of some of the highlights of my year. For the busy bees among you, I’ve compiled a summary 😉
This is the year I,
became healthier, fitter, slimmer, younger, more focused, more energetic, more decisive, kept my wicked sense of humour, my joy of loud music, fast cars, dance, travel; but kept myself grounded by realising how fortunate I am.

And for those of you that have a little more time 🙂
This is the year I,

realised that making life-changing decisions is easy
met Vardit Kohn from For Goodness Sake and shed 33 pounds (thanks Vardit)
became fit enough to run 10kms with ease on Sunday mornings
started doing Ashtanga Yoga…thank goodness for physiotherapy
met Archbishop Desmond Tutu In Cape Town; an 80 year old who has achieved so much in his lifetime and still has the will to achieve so much more
met HRH Princess Máxima of the Netherlands; ensuring that children are educated about money and finance
met Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the UN World Food Program; a lady on a mission to feed the world
started my blog helendenheld.com. Thanks to everyone that actually reads it!
accepted a board position at NGO Share People
accepted a board position at NGO Cordaid Urban Matters in Cape Town
started studying Mandarin Chinese. “Nín hǎo” (Hello).
visited Brussels, London, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Umbria, Milan, Basel, Johannesburg, Cape Town, to name just a few….
realised that the happier and more successful I become, the happier and more successful I can make other people
focused on promoting Fair Chance Foundation and its partners. By voicing my opinions, I’ve noticed that people actually sit up, listen and take action
was listed as one of the top marketing women in the Netherlands for the 3rd consecutive year
was interviewed for numerous articles about CSR
put our house on the market
decided that the world needs to be conquered
met many new, inspiring and fascinating people, who have an effect on my life every day. I thank you all!

2011 was indeed a year to remember. But aren’t they all! I wish you and yours good health, wealth, prosperity and wisdom in 2012.

Slainte mhath (Scotland – Gaelic), Gesondheid (South Africa – Afrikaans), Nqa (South Africa – Sesotho), Proost (Netherlands – Dutch), Gan bei (China – Mandarin), Cheers!

And remember, as soon as you start living your dreams, your dreams evolve. Carpe Diem.

Make a wish at New Year and make someone’s dream come true

Published on December 29, 2011December 30, 2011 by Helen MartinLeave a comment

Yet another charitable activity which I need to give some airtime before the year ends.

Post a New Year wish (for free) via twitter or facebook by using the hashtag #DeloitteWish and Deloitte in the Netherlands will make someone’s dream come true by donating 50 euro cents per message to the Make a Wish Foundation.

The Make a Wish Foundation offers children (aged 3 to 18) with life threatening illnesses the opportunity to make one of their dreams come true as this can have a positive effect on the child’s future.

The coolest messages will be projected from 18.00 on 31st December until 02.00 on 1st January 2012 on the tallest office building in the Netherlands, the Maastoren. The activities can be followed live from any tablet, laptop or smartphone on the DeloitteWish website.

So, what’s stopping you. Please get tweeting and facebooking and make a wish come true in 2012!

Doing good at Christmas

Published on December 18, 2011December 18, 2011 by Helen MartinLeave a comment

If you’re anything like me, Christmas creeps up and takes you by surprise every year. It seems like the months between the long and sultry days of Summer and the cold, rainy and dark days of Winter just fly by. I’m often left wondering where my year has gone. My mother often said that the older one gets, the quicker the years go by. But I believe that the years fly by because I do so much. I don’t believe in getting older. Age is a state mind.

For me, the festive season is not only a time to celebrate with family and friends but also to look back over the year to what I’ve achieved and to figure out what challenge I’ll rise to in the year to come. It’s also the magical time for giving.

This year giving for me took the form of filling 100 ‘Christmas stockings’ for underprivileged children aged 1 to 18 in South Africa. The actual shopping for these gifts took place when I visited Cape Town in October. It was a teriffic activity to be part of. It’s thanks to Amor Strauss from Cordaid Urban Matters in Cape Town that I was able to become involved.

Santa’s Shoebox is the organisation that facilitates the giving experience. They also get schools involved since school children in South Africa are given a social responsibility in the school curriculum. The school children decorate a standardised shoebox as part of their social responsibility project and benefactors buy the contents to fill the boxes. Each box has a unique identification number which relates to a specific child. This ensures that a 16yr old doesn’t receive gifts for a 5yr old. The benefactor is given a specific budget to stay within, which quite honestly, is the biggest challenge of all.

Admittedly Amor and I had loads of fun trying to be as original and smart as possible about buying the gifts on a very strict budget. But I suppose the biggest kick for me, was negotiating loads of ‘freebees’ from many department stores when they heard what we were doing. Many thanks go to the management of Edgars, Truworths and Woolworths in Paarl. I do hope the kids enjoy their Christmas gifts as much as we did buying them.

I wish you perspective and a stress free festive season. Look around you and appreciate what you already have and you may realise that you already have everything your heart desires. Happy holidays!

Unconditional Giving

Published on November 24, 2011 by Helen Martin2 Comments

When we donate money to an NGO, are we allowed to have an opinion as to how that money is spent? Or does the transaction end when the giver gives or when the benefactor can sleep better at night because of this act of giving? Or, does the transaction only end when the NGO achieves what the giver expects it to?

In the last few weeks the giving policies of Pink Ribbon in the Netherlands have been widely criticized in the media. As always, the media attacks first and then gives the organisation the opportunity to defend itself later. Read more about how Pink Ribbon spends your donations on the Pink Ribbon blog (Dutch language).

Whether Pink Ribbon’s defence is sincere or not, is quite honestly beside the point. The organisation has now been brought into question and in to doubt, in the minds of many…..myself included.

How much damage is the press allowed to do? And, how much damage has Pink Ribbon felt by the media’s scathing articles? And, who pays for this damage in the long term?

So, to my first comment? Is the philanthropist allowed to have an opinion as to how their money is spent? Or, is that entirely up to the NGO?
All opinions are welcome!

Building a self-sustaining community

Published on November 11, 2011 by Helen MartinLeave a comment

A few weeks ago, I attended a wedding in South Africa, at which world leader and Nobel peace prize winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu was presiding. He has recently celebrated his 80th birthday and although he is taking it ‘easier’, he still has the energy of many 60 year olds. He remains a person of great international influence, who uses his clout to defend human rights, to campaign for the oppressed and fight the war against HIV AIDS, etc.

While in South Africa, I took the time to visit a project supported by Cordaid Urban Matters, which is a Dutch NGO with satellite offices in San Salvador, Kisumu and Cape Town. Cordaid Urban Matters works with local government and chooses areas that need to be totally (re)developed. Think along the lines of water, electricity, cable, sewerage, housing, schools, shops, etc. Since I’m really pragmatic, I wanted to see for myself exactly what needs to be done.

Amor Strauss, the programme manager for Cordaid Urban Matters in Cape Town took me to Hazeldene, which is part of Philippi, a sprawling slum area around Cape Town. I visit Cape Town regularly and I drive passed this area all the time. But, nothing really prepares you for what you’re going to see, when you drive into the area. A wake-up call and a definite reality check as to how good many of us, myself included, have it.

The plan is to create a self-sustaining village, for a group of about 350 very low income families. These families were promised homes over 10 years ago by the South African government but to date nothing has been built. Cordaid Urban Matters plans to do more. Homes will be built, a water purification plant will be installed, greenhouses will be erected to grow goods for export and fruit and vegetables will be grown on site. A bakery will be built, not only to bake bread for the community that is cheaper than the local supermarkets, but it will also act as a source of training. The bakery will educate people in and around the community as bakers, who can then offer their services to other local bakeries or supermarkets. The homes will be rented by the families and the creation of jobs in the village will ensure that the families can pay for rent, utilities and any other additional goods and services.

I’m obviously excited about the project but, I’m also cautiously optimistic as the last thing anyone wants to create is a bubble. We’re far happier developing a self sustaining village which will also help people on the outskirts of the community.

Only time will tell if we’ll succeed; which influential people we may or may not need to call for help along the way; and how engaged the people from this self-sustaining community will be in the future. But let’s face it, ‘it is far better to have tried and failed than to have failed to try…” Wish us luck.

Daring to Dream

Published on October 27, 2011November 27, 2011 by Helen MartinLeave a comment

As a little girl, I wore pretty pink party dresses and I was read fairy tales of princesses being rescued by their handsome princes and how they lived happily ever after in their perfect kingdoms. I don’t think I ever challenged this concept. Couldn’t the princess
do the rescuing? How would the kingdom stay perfect if it wasn’t self-sustaining? I know I never had these discussions with my mother and I’m sure she never asked me what I would discuss with the princess when I met her. I only wish she had.

We look to our world leaders or people of great influence to solve our planet’s problems. When, there’s more of a chance that the ‘lowly man on the street’ will solve more problems albeit with a little help of ‘the princess’.

Her Royal Highness Princess Máxima of the Netherlands is a princess on a mission. She has 3 young daughters and she understands more than ever how important education is; the importance of financial literacy; how entrepreneurial children are; and how children can be coached to far greater heights when they are suitably challenged.

This week I met Princess Máxima at an event arranged by MVO Nederland (Dutch site), an organization focused on CSR activities in the Netherlands. Representatives from company foundations, NGOs, funds, business and public sector met to discuss a whole range of topics (Dutch language) including, Reducing the number of drop outs and unemployment; Improving quality of life and safety in communities; Labour market participation; Financial education, etc. All the attendees, myself included, signed a letter of intent, promising to talk less and act more. Coalitions will be formed in the coming months and some very passionate business people, with the support of Princess Máxima, will solve just some of our problems in the Netherlands.

As a child, I never dared imagine that I could ever be in the presence of a Princess. Let’s start re-writing those fairy tales. Nowadays, princesses work alongside you and I, to solve ‘their’ kingdom’s sustainability issues, feeding the poor or improving the economy through education and job creation. Let’s challenge our children to think outside of the square. They’re not made of glass and they need to realise that they can do anything that they put their minds to. They are our future leaders and it’s their ideas that will save the world. Let’s teach our children to ‘Dare to Dream’.