CREATING A WINDOW TO THE WORLD

One of the most valuable gifts of seeing the upside during down times is perspective. 
Things are not always as bad as they seem – Oprah Magazine Gratitude Journal.

My personal blog this week pays tribute to a group of Metrorail Marketing staff members, who, with no budget at their disposal, have created a glimpse into the corporate world for the thousands of commuter and public entering and exiting Cape Town Station on a daily basis. 

Leading up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup the refurbishment of Cape Town Station acquired a significant number of new display cases. Whilst the process of securing advertising contracts for these display cases are still underway, the afore-mentioned staff seized the opportunity to utilize these beautiful spaces to visually engage with commuters on a wide range of products and services.   What makes their work so significant is the fact that all efforts were designed and implemented with zero budget.  For the past 18 months Metrorail has had severe financial constraints, and in difficult financial times, it is common knowledge that one of the first budgets to be slashed is that of Marketing/Public Relations.

In addition to the opening quotation, the current financial constraints at Metrorail reminds me of one of the most memorable scenes from the award winning movie, ‘The Sound of Music’ when Mother Superior informs Postulant Maria to return to the von Trapp family.  “You can’t hide behind the walls of the Abbey. When the Lord closes a door, He opens another.”   

Against the background of severe budget cuts, the Marketing staff members referred to earlier, refused to ‘hide  behind the corporate walls’ of zero budget.  When the ‘budget door’  closed, another bigger display case door opened – providing staff members with a brand new opportunity to realise their  inner creativity.  Through their creative efforts they have kick-started a station legacy programme,  providing thousands of commuters and the public an opportunity to pause, reflect, engage with and ask questions on a wide range of  visuals ranging from the 2010 Soccer World Cup footage, Station Forecourt events, rail safety messages, to name but a few.

Domestic and International tourists alike have all provided positive comments.  Their display cases have led to numerous enquires about specific products and services and requests for a number of guided tours of Cape Town Station.

As an expression of my admiration and appreciation for the exemplary manner in which staff member have collectively pooled their creative resources together in the interest of the public,  I’d like to end off with a concluding quotation taken and modified from the Oprah Magazine Gratitude Journal.
I am thankful  :

·         For the opportunity to be surrounded by inspiring staff members;

·         For the opportunity to work with staff members who have active and creative imaginations;

·        For the unsolicited help of staff members