Over the last two weeks, 20 further businesses have called out for mentoring support! This is in addition to the nearly full workload my colleague and I already have! How can we respond to this growing demand? The answer is in the title: We need to STEP UP!
‘Can I introduce you to ten new Industry coaches who have been trained by Tonga Skills to address the demand for coaching services in specialised areas across a range of industry sectors in Tonga’s business market’. These were the opening words of the CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training, who was the keynote speaker at our official launch of the increased local business coaching capacity.
We dressed up in the local tupenu (men’s ‘skirt’) and ta’uvala (waist mat) and kafa (rope belt). The media turned up for the occasion and wanted some comments to be broadcast on Tonga’s nationwide TV channel in their evening news. – My core message was: If you are struggling in business there is help available.
Being interviewed live 
My coaching colleague
In addition, TongaSkills’ coaching service got an invitation from the same national TV station for a 30-minute special feature on the coaching support now available to Tongan businesses. With a moderator leading, my coaching partner covered the answers to his questions in Tongan while I responded to mine in English.
It was an interesting experience to be in front of TV cameras – but also a bit strange afterwards to sit at home seeing yourself on TV and watch yourself answer questions in English, detecting my Swiss accent! The main thing is, however, that we got the message through.
Keep your Swiss accent dear Lofi! Your work is Swiss quality.