1. Kismet
“All things are possible…”
A human potential agency, making it possible to bring to life the hidden genius of your
talented people by using tested theoretical models and whole-brain learning methods

2. 2
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“…if our minds be
ready.” W.S.
Derek Jooste, founded Kismet after 30 years
of consulting in the field of human potential
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Organisations as consciously
evolving social organisms or as
well-oiled machines: what is best?
We have met both types and many in-
between. But our experience has shown
that people cannot perform their best unless
they choose to. Choice is extremely
important. Numerous psychological studies
have shown that drive comes from within
and no amount of incentive, be it pain or
gain, will produce the willing high
performance contributions that
organisations need in order to survive and
win in the unpredictable and rapidly
changing social environment of today and
tomorrow.
People are defined by their work. It is the
work that motivates, not the promise of
rewards. They have their place but only to
add fuel to the spark not to be the spark.
We help leaders to understand the secrets
of motivation and assist them in designing
strategies and processes to build lasting
employee engagement.
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We come from the field of the arts,
not the commercial world so we
bring out the human factor.
My first assignment in 1984 was to teach
Deloitte tax consultants Rapid Reading. I
learned then that it was the experience of
learning that led to results, not the content.
The middle aged, well-educated delegates
progressed fastest when they laughed,
participated, made mistakes…just like
children learn.
Having been a schoolteacher earlier in my
career, I experimented with subsequent adult
groups and found that by creating a
stimulating and diverse experience in the
training room, it was possible to have high
concentration, involvement and open
learning on any subject.
This enabled us to unlock huge amounts of
potential. We developed this method over
the years. Here are some of the projects that
enabled us to hone our art to the highest
level.
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3. 3
“Culture eats
strategy for
breakfast.”
Peter Drucker
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Past projects, like working laboratories, have
provided learning opportunities for us. What
have we learnt?
Rand Merchant Bank, “Creativity” (1992) How to make bankers
find their artistic mojo
Eskom, “The Managers’ Challenge” (1990-98) How to rapidly
strengthen leaders for rapid change
MTN, “I am the brand” (1998) How to motivate employees to
naturally behave according to brand values
Public Motivation Seminars, “Management Principles of African
Music” (1994-2005) How interdependence and bottom-up
management beats command and control
FirstRand, “The Cultural Revolution” (2000) How to transform
36,000 conservative bankers into small, nimble, customer-
focused teams
Brand South Africa, “Alive with possibility” (2003) How to
mobilise a nation behind a brand proposition
Group 5, “Partnering” (2002-2005) How to reduce waste and
increase innovation in major projects by increasing cooperation
Anglo Platinum, “Zero Harm” (2007) How to get 36,000 miners
including managers and union leaders to agree a safety plan
City of Joburg, “World Cup 2010” How to unite a city behind a
legacy project
Yellow Pages, “Future Proofing” (2011-2012) How to modernize
an aging culture
Foskor, “I am the change” (2009-2013) How to transform a state
owned business profitably
LYT Architecture, “Space is potential” (2010-2015) How a local
professional firm can compete globally
Old Mutual, “Stella Lane” (2015) How SA’s top financial
company builds trust in its business community for mutual profit
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What we can do for you:
• Motivate teams
• Run team boosters throughout your
company
• Conduct motivational, story-based
qualitative research
• Design experiential training courses
• Facilitate workshops that
encourage openness and sharing
• Formulate a winning strategy that
unlocks fresh ideas
• Help you to embed strategic values
in your culture
• Design communication-rich
conferences and events
• Design and rollout change and
engagement programmes
• Provide executive coaching for
important presentations
• Significantly raise the performance
levels of leaders (The Invisible
Curriculum)
• Present unique motivation seminars
• Write and perform plays to
communicate messages
• Build a cooperation culture in your
project team
• Mediate conflict resolution and
define strategies of behavior in the
workplace
• Host thought leadership
conversations with you and your
clients

4. 4
It begins with you! You create your own reality. A strong
team is built up with strong individuals. And a strong
organisation is built with strong teams.
Motivation is a mystery, most people aren’t even sure what motivates
themselves! But without understanding how it works, companies have
little chance of unlocking their people’s potential. Our methods are
based on sound theoretical principles unlike many ad hoc efforts at
performance management. Human drive is a science and the carrot
and stick method is like the steam engine is to the internet. Time to get
on board with modern thinking.
A Chinese village visited by a flying dragon, painstakingly
constructed with matchsticks. Continuous improvement in a
complex undertaking motivates higher performance.
People are motivated by hard work and challenge, not by
rewards or punishments.
“..if our hearts
be in the trim”
W.S. from King Henry V

5. 5
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Meaning, what you value
If people see personal meaning in
their contribution to the company’s
fortune, they will enjoy their work and
will bring 100% of their capability to
work every day.
Self development
If they feel that they are better and
more skilled when they leave work,
they will be motivated to try harder in
every new task or project.
Economic benefit
If they share in the enterprise’s
success, they will contribute across
functions to reduce unnecessary
costs and advance the companies
agenda.
How to get it done
It is very difficult to unleash potential that has been reined in over
years of conditioning. People are unaware of the self imposed
barriers they have erected. It is only when these limitations are
exposed by dramatic events in our lives that we become
conscious of our great capabilities. We know how to get
motivation done.
Our methods are based on strong theoretical principles, not
“wooly”, self-help wish lists. We don’t offer off-the-shelf solutions.
We apply our minds and methods to help you inspire your people
to delver your winning strategies. There are three foundations
upon which human performance rests: meaning, self
development and economic benefit

6. Kismet
7 Mill Hill, Norman Avenue,
Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa
+27 73 825 2186
derekjooste@gmail.com
Begin it now
Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary
truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans
That the moment one definitely commits oneself then Providence moves
too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have otherwise
have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favour
all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material
assistance which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Goethe, 1749-1832