Having grown up in the corporate world, and last worked for the giant Anglo American from 2002-10, I have developed a penchant for acronyms. Even when texting to the chagrin of many, I might refer to "AOTA", which always gets the response, "WHAT?!". "AOTA" = "all of the above". However, some work and some don’t – not sure into which category this one falls, but we must realise that we have/need to be/become PSE’s.

PSE = Purveyors of Scintillating Experiences

As servants/salespeople (and according to Tom's TIBs #49 - everything is sales!) - those providing a service, and I guess we all are in some way or another - whether we labour with our hands or intellectual capital, we provide a very tangible service as we work and perform tasks, structuring and building something visible and real.

But our ultimate objective just has to be deeper than what is seen or felt.

Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore wrote in “The Experience Economy: Work is Theatre & Every Business a Stage”:

“Experiences are as distinct from services as services are from goods.”

I love the ballet. In 2005 I was blown away by the St Petersburg Ballet - my very first ballet experience. I didn't know what to expect and accompanied some friends on a whim. Swan Lake it was - classical Russian ballet. What precision! What excellence! What an experience!

When I bought the tickets at R350 each, back then, it was a lot to pay. But after the show I could not have put a price on that experience.

When you serve, present yourself to the world, this has to be your objective - to create an unforgettable experience. A scintillating experience.

By choice and desire you just have to become a Purveyor of Scintillating Experiences - PSE.

15 April 2008