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Your people, the best PR. |
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Written by Brian James
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At the end of a recent two week trip to the Sultanate of Oman,bordered by
Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the UAE, my partner and I couldn't wait to return,
because of the people; right down from the Sultan of Oman
 (His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said) to
humble and friendly taxi drivers, market
fishmongers, Bedouins and everyone in
between.
It's PR that money can't buy, and believe
me Oman can afford anything.
Investment Billions
Oil and gas rich Oman (population 4 million, of which 1 million are foreign
nationals) is investing billions in tourism, as are its neighbours. It's best natural
assets are its people, compared to its neighbours.
Oman has spectacular and diverse landscapes, six star resorts and so on,
but because tourism is relatively new to the Sultanate, some of the infrastructure
lags.
However, the best PR for Oman are the Omanis.
They are naturally warm and welcoming. Sincerely so. When they say 'you are very
welcome,' you believe it. They also have good sense's of humour, they love their
country and their benevolent Sultan. It is a pleasure to be in their company.
We could learn much from them.
Here are some memorable encounters which reinforce what I'm saying.
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Read more...
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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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Written by Brian James
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I'm in a 'big arse' gospel choir.
75 extroverted, shy, talented and non talented
people who come together once a week to commune
and imbibe the exuberant soulful joy of black gospel music
with its roots in America's Deep South..
Skinny and not so skinny white Melbourne dudes and dudettes singing 'black'.
Last Sunday afternoon in bohemian Fitzroy, in a
grungy, rock music pub, the choir brought their
two hours of power to an enthusiastic audience,
sandwiched in and standing on beer-stained daggy
carpet. 300 sardines in a pub.
150 people were turned away.
I sing, adequately, but as a choir we sound damn hot.
We sound black, but look white.
We have soloists who have true soul.
Very few of the choir have any religious connection, but we connect to
the gospel music.
It's got heart, soul, triumph over tragedy, redemption, love and courage;
it touches hearts.
The words and music are important, but there's another, almost mystical dimension.
It's truly magical, for me, the choir and the audience.
It can change lives. I've seen it.
For some of the choir, being part of the choir is the best thing in their life.
It's a connection.
Sometimes we search forever to connect.
When it comes into our life, it is joyous; you want to burst
and share the feeling, even with total strangers.
It is beyond thinking, it's a feeling, a knowing.
To share something, with someone, even an interest in a community choir,
can flick a switch and enrich us, touch our soul.
Plenty of people are searching for that soul connection.
250 people want to join our choir. To get joy and give joy and discover their soul and
maybe even have their heart opened.
Open heart surgery without the surgery! It can make your heart sing!
Find a choir, quick, and connect.
Plug into the power of gospel.
www.mmgc.net.au
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