17/07/2025
Written by: Saul Rosenberg
The Joburg Chapter meeting took place at the Wanderers 17/7/25. The meeting focused on what it really takes to master your mindset and make your mark on the global stage. Personal power and professional presence collide.
The evening was a culmination of hard work by the team, and was a splendid evening of inspired speakers in attendance at a venue that was increased in size, and the atmosphere was full of enthusiasm and speaking achievement.
Graeme Codrington
Graeme explored three keys to deliberately and consciously build your international profile as a professional speaker. He said, everything you do will also boost your local profile, “so this is worth doing whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newbie”.
Firstly, content and positioning. To get noticed globally, you must offer real value with proof. Whether it’s a book, white papers or a strong Youtube Presence. Your content should reflect global relevance. You must become a recognised expert in a specific niche. He said, people won’t fly in a generic speaker.
Position yourself with strong digital footprint and global facing platforms. You should showcase your best insights, not just promotional fluff. Your website, media kit, and comms must reflect international professionalism. Price accordingly and remember, that as an international speaker, you’re a premium product.
Second relationships matter most. He said, “Your international journey often begins with existing clients who have global connections”. Cold outreach is almost impossible. Look for opportunities with associations in industries and countries you’re interested in.- they might only pay travel costs, but they’ll get you in front of potential clients.
You can also form partnerships with training firms, speakers bureaus, and other speakers to build reach. Develop relationships with speakers around the world, and see if you can partner with them to write a book, or a podcast.
Lastly, its about focus and consistency. You can’t speak everywhere, so choose your regions strategically. Start small, invest wisely and be patient. This isn’t an overnight success story- It’s the effort, in smart positioning, and strong partnerships. Its hard work and takes time, but its worth it.
Shakes Dlutu
Shakes’ talk was vibrant and engaging. The “Victim to Victor” keynote is a powerful catalysing process designed to create an awareness about the “Power of Mindsets” and their Implications” which is the subjective ways in which we see and understand the world.
During the presentation he looked at Victim Consciousness/Mindset. There’s what he calls the “Victim Mentality” that people who see themselves as “Victims” have a language that they use daily, what he calls the ABC language of “Victims” Accusation, Blame and Complaint.
People who live with this mindset are always, accusing others, always find someone else to Blame because they don’t want to take responsibility for anything else.
Victims always love to find something to Complain about. This behaviour is weak, this way of being stops and blocks us from reaching greater heights in life and from being successful and doesn’t exactly change anything in our lives.
What he suggests we do rather is to operate with what he calls the Victor Consciousness/ Mindset. Victors don’t Accuse, Blame or Complain, instead of focusing on what’s wrong they focus on what’s wright.
Successful people operate from this stand point, what’s the ABC language of “Victors” Attitude, Beliefs and Choices, Victors always maintain a positive mentality no matter what’s going, especially during the rough and testing seasons of life.
Secondly they believe in themselves or in their course, self-belief is a great catalyst for achieving greatness in whatever field of endeavour you can think of. Lastly Victors know that life is about Choices, we may not always be in control of what is happening to us, or our circumstances and situations but we are always in control of how we choose to respond to our situations.
