Human focus

 Ron White, an international speaker who set a Guinness World Record by memorising a 28-digit number in one minute and 15 seconds, will be in Bangkok on March 27 to talk about how to "Bring the Mind of Einstein to Your Organisation". For more information, contact AIM Inlines at (02) 270-0984/5 or visit www.aiminlines.com

General Motors said it had launched the first-ever automobile service educational programme in Thailand. GM will initially fund ASEP Thailand, as it will be known, to develop and run a two-year automobile curriculum and follow up on the outcome for five years.

The training will comprise both theoretical and operational interactive lessons to be held at vocational colleges or Chevrolet service centres.

Eleven vocational schools are participating in the training.

Thailand Productivity Institute will organise a seminar, "Best Practices: Thailand Quality Award Winner 2006", on March 21 at the Anoma Hotel. Participants will learn best practices from leading organisations such as PTT's Rayong Natural Gas Separation Plant unit, Counter Services and CP Seven Eleven, which won awards in 2006.

The institute is also hosting the Thailand Quality Award Road Show 2008 at Chiang Mai on March 13 and 14, at Korat on March 20 and 21, at Surat Thani on March 27 and 28 and at Chon Buri on April 3 and 4.

n Leading recruitment firm Manpower will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Thailand this year. The company, led by country manager Simon Matthews, held its first press conference last week. Reporters got to see Matthews' charisma - he never stops smiling and has even learnt to speak some Thai in his 15 years here. He is married to a Thai woman and has two children.

Citing his experience of a career shift from engineering to recruiting, Matthews said workers should be "flexible" with their career and aware that "the days of a job for life are gone.

"You must be aware that some industries grow and some don't."

n Manheim Asia Pacific, an international provider of vehicle remarketing services, announced the appointment of Apirak Apijitchaichot as assistant general manager in Thailand. Apirak has been at Manheim since 2003, when he joined as a sales manager.

n Danai Chanchaochai, chief executive of DC Consultants and Marketing Coomunications, recently appointed Athuk Pramoj na Ayudhaya the firm's executive director.

 This column appears on Mondays. Please send news to pichaya@nationgroup.com.