Some good advice

Once there was a man who often felt insulted by other people. He went to a wise man and told him his problem. He said: “I am easily insulted by people and it really hurts me when people say bad things to me.” The wise man asked: “If someone gives you a gift and you don’t accept the gift, who does the gift belong to?” The man asked: “What do you mean who does the gift belong to?” “Well,” the wise man said, “if you don’t accept the gift from the other person, who does it belong to?” The man replied. “Obviously to the person who is giving it to me.” “There you go,” said the wise man, “that is the answer. If someone insults you and you do not accept the insult, who does it belong to?” (Workplace, 9 November 2005)

 

Orderliness creates profit???

Could your company’s woes be attributed to something as simple as an untidy office? You’ve tried every cost-cutting measure and profit enhancing strategy known to MBA’s and the results continue to worsen. Most people see a disorderly desk or aesthetically disastrous working environment as nothing more than a minor inconvenience. But according to the international bestseller The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell, a little disorder can lead to catastrophic conclusions. As the book argues, all epidemics start small and spread once a small contingent becomes passionately engaged. You could be the catalyst for a workplace revolution by simply cleaning up yourself and your office! (Workplace, 23 November 2005)

 

Move to where the money is going

As hockey great Wayne Gretzky used to say, the key to winning is getting to where the puck is going next. But many people find that once they get to where the money is, there is very little of it left to go around. It would seem that we make strategic errors in focusing our efforts and resources. A few South African examples of anticipating where is puck is going, would include Mark Shuttleworth, Nando’s, the guys who invented the Kreepy Krauly. A common mistake is to try and find the next best thing based on what others are saying. And if you cannot be first – be the best!! (Succeed, Nov/Dec 2005)

 

At least we are safe for this year..

Or are we? It was Mark Twain who said that October was one of the most peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. “The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August and February”, the quote goes. Many investors and commentators see October as the month to fear. The perception is formed from the few steep crashes that had occurred in October. The great fall of October 1929 is often the first cited, though October 1983 (-11%), is also notable. October 1987 (-24%) was even worse and October 1992 (-6%) and October 1997 (-9%) also come to mind. Investors should bear in mind another quote from Mark Twain: “There are two times in a man’s life when he should not speculate: when he can’t afford it and when he can.” (Sunday Times, 30 October 2005)

 

Happy employees = happy clients

Top companies are finding that deliberately creating a superior quality of life in the workplace has many benefits involving the state of mind of staff, delivery of customer service as well as financial performance. Putting the focus on customer service while ignoring the quality of life of your corporate family is a serious case of putting the cart before the horse. Employees are quick to spot it when a company pays mere lip service to these issues. There is no way that you can become an “employer of choice” by going down that insincere road. Getting it right internally is what truly gives a company the edge because positive internal energy flows outward to customers, partners and intermediaries as well. (Workplace, 26 October 2005)

 

“Work” is the magic word in networking

People often have the mistaken belief that churning out work from behind their computer is going to take them to that next level in their career. You spend every waking moment behind your PC and don’t have time to join the group that meets for tea every morning.

That is when people start wondering what you do, as this is normally discussed at the tea sessions. It is very important to make yourself visible in the workplace. If you don’t raise your visibility and make yourself known, you run the risk of becoming a no-name brand.

Interestingly enough, that’s why smokers often have well developed brands and good networks. Outside on the balcony, the smokers find out exactly what is going on across the organization and the traditional silos.

They’re always the first to know the juiciest gossip as well. Even if you are not a smoker, make sure you have one in your network as they often have access to hot-off-the-press information.

Nigel Risner, the internationally acclaimed expert on networking believes that business people often don’t attend networking events, because of time constraints and a lack of awareness of how important they are.

Business people often use excuses like lack of time or too much work. He says not arriving is worse than not RSVP-ing, as your name badge that lies there throughout the whole event says more about your brand that you personally could have.

Networking implies work: rocking up and spending some energy in developing relationships with people who have the potential to make a significant impact on your career.

You can achieve more in 30 seconds by making an impression on someone than most people stuck in their offices do in a lifetime. It’s not what you know, but who you know!! (Workplace, 23 November 2005)

 

Quote

"Temper is so good a thing that we should never lose it" - Unknown

Contact Us for more info