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Oman's Great PR challenge |
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Written by Brian James
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How do you promote and publicize your country as a tourist destination when you are a
peaceful and exotic country in the middle of one of the world's most volatile regions,
the Middle East?
That's the challenge facing the tiny Sultanate of Oman.
Bordered by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and with Iran across the water,
it is not in the most ideal situation geographically, yet it has had a stable government
for over 40 years and seems to be unaffected by the region's instability.
As a publicist working with individuals and organsiations, my partner and I are off to
Oman shortly to take in its delights and see how the country handles tourism and
gets the PR message out to the rest of the world.
So far, the message has been patchy, yet more people are hearing about Oman,
though they often don't know why, where it is or its points of difference!
The challenge for Oman is what to promote. It obviously has superb hotels and resorts,
we are staying at one in Muscat, the Chedi, but will it be the people of Oman,
the Sultanate's history, the landscapes, cuisine and so on, or a combination of the above
that makes a wonderful impression?
How easy will it be to navigate our way around the country? Will it be expensive, or
good value? Will we sense the region's conflicts and so on? So many questions!
Stay tuned .
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Written by Brian James
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One of the world's hottest gospel singers Myron Butler and his wife
Timberlynn were in Hobart recently giving workshops to 100 gospel
choir members from around Australia.
I was one of the fortunate attendees.
The workshops were about singing,
but more about life.
Myron is a gifted singer, teacher and mentor.
When he sings, there's no effort. Pure soul and
heart, backed up by technique and years of honing
his 'gift'.
At our last workshop, Myron sang a hymn.
It was no ordinary hymn. It was a full blown
performance which demonstrated all his talents
and vocal range.
He sang it accompanied by a pianist, he lent on the piano at times.
As inspirational and moving as this 'peformnace' was, it was the tender words
that followed which moved people to tears.
"I was born with a gift' he said, 'a gift to be used. I work on it every day.
I was fortunate because I knew what my gift was, from an early age."
"Your role in life, " he gently implored, 'is to find what your gift is and use it.
It has been given to you for a purpose."
It's simple, but challenging at the same time. I recognised my gift, when a
jazz drumming Indian window cleaner was 'directed' to give me a message
about investing and utilising my gift, which I had been distracted from for many
years.
Got a gift?
Find it.
Use it
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Coffee: Conversation Heart Starter |
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Written by Brian James
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Sitting in the window of my second favourite coffee cafe,
Dukes, in Chapel Street Prahran, I was quietly enjoying
my single-origin 3/4 latte amid the usual Saturday morning
craziness. The joint was jumping!
I asked the stranger next to me to
pass the sugar. I got more than sugar.
It was the start of a roaming, heart
opening conversation which in thirty five
minutes covered, family, relationships,
business, politics, how old habits die slowly
and numerous other topics.
Mike was a cappuccino man. Visiting from Queensland, this
successful, nuggety,observer of life had a quiet confidence.
Like me he was still on 'the journey'.
Reflecting on where we are at in life; the balance of achievement,
happiness, doing what you love, having joy, giving joy; you know the routine.
It's remarkable how a chance encounter with a stranger placed next to you,
can create a connection, quickly. We were both willing to share, to be honest,
reveal frailties and swap some philosophy. One such 'pearl' was, 'it doesn't matter
where you are, if you aren't happy within, you won't find happiness outside.
The Universe presents us daily with opportunities to 'connect' and learn.
It's our choice to recognise the opportunity, whatever the wrapping.
A few inconsequential words with a stranger over coffee can be a conversation starter,
to be taken up and run with, opening doors and who knows, hearts?
Next time you are solo having a coffee, risk a few words to a stranger.
It could be a heart starter and opener.
3 Bags Full in Abbotsford is my favourite coffee gig.
Look for the crazy Greek chic on the door.
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