Murphy Wasn’t Invited – Lessons from Senegal

Enjoyed a delightful time sharing latest insights and knowledge on creativity, brand communications, crisis comms, social media, PR strategy and redefining PR with delegates at the 7th International Public Relations Congress in Dakar, Senegal.
And I too learned new things like the delightful pearl of wisdom shared by fellow speaker Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO Africa at Burson-Marsteller. She recalled a launch of a technology product, where the technology under the spotlight failed to work.
A seasoned veteran journalist and guest at the event leaned back and whispered to Robyn: “You’ve done one thing wrong here: You’ve forgotten to invite Murphy!”
Apart from inducing a wry smile, it underwrote a fact of life in working and operating in Africa; as Murphy’s Law states, if things can go wrong, they will.
Whether you’re in Africa or elsewhere, inviting Murphy to the event or campaign planning process is essential in anticipating and preparing for the interventions of potential Murphydoms.
It was also delightful sharing a platform with Dr. Zehra Gungor, President of the International Public Relations Association.
Lessons of global travel is the realisation of how people, despite surface differences share a common destiny, a frustration that we could create a better world through redefining and improving our use and understanding of how creativity works as well as more effective use of Brand Communications.
So, after Senegal, my mission continues…