On November 3, the Public Affairs Section held a book discussion on the African Regional Service (ARS) Nouveaux Horizons publication “Bien Diriger Son Equipe” (The Truth About Managing People). The event attracted over 40 people including Beninese Government officials, U.S. Mission Officers and staff, lecturers, and students.
PAO Rhonda Watson welcomed participants to the book discussion, one of the PAS programs designed to advocate IRC products and services. The IRC Director also explained various resources available for users and clients at IRC Cotonou. The speaker, Prof Abraham Voglozin, is an Alumnus and lecturer at the Management School (Ecole Natioale d’Economie et de Management Appliqué) of the University of Abomey-Calavi. He has also conducted consultations for international organizations like the UNDP, the World Bank and Plan International, to name a few.
In his presentation, the speaker explained that this book was a synopsis of all the latest thinking and research in leadership and management studies and was the best compilation he had ever read. He focused on three important elements: the integration of a new employee in an institution, the importance of maintaining a good esprit du corps on the team, and management duties.
Ambassador James Knight took time out of his schedule to attend the event after presenting his credentials to the President of Benin. He expressed his appreciation for the speaker’s insights and encouraged participants to attend other Mission activities, as well, in order to take advantage of our many offerings. The event received extensive coverage from print and digital media. This book discussion was so successful that many participants are clamoring to purchase the book from local book stores who are now obliged to secure the book for sale.