Father's Day

Father's Day is just around the corner - 19 June - and depending on your traditions, there are some great gift idea's out there for those special Dad's.

Get Crafty Why not encourage your children to make something for Dad - put together a little craft table and while Dad is at the office, let the children create something personal for him. A card, a picture frame for his desk at work, a handmade notepad made using scrap pieces of paper from the printer at home - just turn the pieces around and he has blank pages to write notes on, bind it together with rubber bands and twigs and let your children decorate the front with a personal message.

Spend a little If it is your tradition to give your children a small amount of money for them to use and buy something for their dad's then try combining handmade items with bought items. Suggest  the idea of making a card, buying a photo frame and personalizing the frame with things that can be found in the tool box or in the drawer where all the "just in case" items are kept. They could be spare washers, his favourite beer bottle lids, some newspaper clippings to cover part of the frame - anything that can be found can be used. Recycling and Upcycling are a popular part of today's society so this is the best time to encourage your children and teach them about reusing items around the house and turning them into something new and exciting.

Spend a lot If your tradition is to spoil Dad with the latest and greatest then why not look into the latest gadgets - an Ipod touch, a GPS or a range finder, something to use while he is at gym - perhaps some new gym shoes or a heart monitor, what about a golf kit or something for those weekend braai's. Whatever it is your children decide to do this Father's Day, just remember that hugs are always free.

 

Do you want to:

• create a remarkable impression with your visual brand
• design and live a meaningful personal brand
• be ahead of the pack and prepare yourself for this time of possibility

If  you answered yes, then contact us here to find out how to become the next Chief Breakthrough Woman

Trends and developments in the workplace

According to www.essortment.com there have been numerous changes in the workplace due to ever-changing technology and communication in general.

Here are some of the trends being witnessed (click here for further information):

Job assessment methods:
Although qualifications remain a significant indicator of ability, companies no longer assume that, by taking on a university graduate, they are going to get someone of high calibre and intelligence. Personality and communication skills are becoming increasingly important in the workplace.

Freelancing:
There is a definite trend towards outsourcing, short term contracting and freelancing. Permanent staff, as a percentage of the workforce, are decreasing in number. As a result, the traditional sense of company identity and loyalty is, in some cases, being sacrificed in the name of cost-cutting advantages and long-term efficiency.

E-mail "overload":
Workers, today, are becoming inundated with e-mail communications. The more e-mails we receive, the greater the distraction and the faster we tend to work to try and make up for lost time.

Desk rage:
This is a recent development. Computer power has unleashed an unpleasant element into the workplace. Arguments, irritability and a sense of being out of control are all affecting stressed-out staff to some degree or another.

Aggression in the workplace:
For whatever reason, today's workforce is becoming increasingly aggressive in its attitude, in general. Employees, nowadays, identify less and less with corporate image and feel very little sense of loyalty.

Corporate image is an important factor in redeeming your staff's loyalty, motivation and confidence. Click here for info on how we can help you boost your employees again.

What I wish I had said...

 Why is it that so many of us struggle to say what we really feel, especially when things get difficult?

Here are some tips to help you to handle that dreaded conversation:

• Learn the language of the organisation–others will “hear” you better.
• If you are in an industry where speed is of priority eg trading in shares, stocks or constantly needing to meet tight deadlines – you may need to be blunt to be efficient eg: “ No, that will not work at all”. However if you are in an organisation that has a “softer–more nurturing” approach to business you will need to be more diplomatic. Eg “Here’s how I would like to add on to your idea”.
• Plan ahead what you want to say, have a couple of key points. Rehearse the conversation in your head especially how you plan to start.
• Try and speak a little slower than is your norm, keep your voice level and remember to breathe. Speaking too quickly lacks impact, makes you appear flustered and breathless merely adding to your stress levels. We should concentrate on modulating the pitch of our voice – nerves and emotions tend to make your voice high and squeaky.
• If you get emotional – back off. Little will be achieved until you have controlled your emotions. Take a deep breath and retire gracefully: “Please give me a few moments, what I need to say to you is important”.
• Don’t loose track of what it was you needed to say, but take this opportunity to see if you have been heard and understood. So many misunderstandings can be prevented if you take a step back, assess, reassess and then if necessary change your track rather than ploughing full steam ahead.

Winter Wardrobe Essentials

Can you believe it's time to bring out our Winter woolies again?
A new season is the best time to update your look.
With so much fashion in the shops and magazines
it can get very confusing. 

My top tip for this Winter is ...buy less TRENDY items, buy more STATEMENT pieces. Invest in clothes that are wearable time and again. To find out what key pieces you should opt for read on.

50’s Ladylike Charm:
Curvy girls are back in fashion -YAY!
Figure hugging dresses and skirts finished off with a belt. Choose from pencil skirts to A-lined full skirts/ shirt dresses. Jackets are cropped and fitted or long and loose. Skirts & dresses are worn just below the knee.

Rules for wearing Full Skirts:
1: Stick to neutrals.
2: Keep it slim and fitted on top – add a poloneck or a fitted blouse.
3: The low-cut ankle boot is perfect to modernise a full skirt.

The leopard Print:
Wild leopard spots are seen in shoes, scarves, handbags. Ease animal prints into the office wardrobe with neutral separates and a pop of colour eg RED.

'70s Sophistication:
• High waisted wide-leg pants.They make your legs look super slim and chic!
• Cigarette Pants - narrow cut ending at the ankle.
• Pussy bow-blouses, with billowing sleeves in silk, satin or velvet. 
• Statement collars on coats and jackets are the rage.
• Polonecks-a great basic item each winter-update it in the right colours-wear under a shift dress.

Layering:
Select waistcoats, cardigans, gilets, blouses and layer creative. The secret is not to make use of fabrics that are too bulky. Buy a COATIGAN- a knee length combination of a cardigan and a coat.

Fabulous Fashion boots:
It’s short boots and chunky heels all the way this Winter.
The Must-Have pair for this season-a neutral colour, high-heeled, lace-up shoe boot. Stay away from the thigh high “Pretty Woman” boots, sheepskin trims, studs and biker straps.
For more tips to help you in the corporate world click here

 

Shopping with Miss SA - Bokang Montjane

On Thursday 07 April I took Miss SA - Bokang Montjane shopping at the elegant Jenni Button Sandton store where we selected some awesome outfits that will allow her to attend different functions whilst at all times looking chic and elegant.

Take a look at our previous events and workshops here

When life is all work and no play!

All work and no Play

All work and no fun make Jack and Jill a very dull couple indeed! The number 1 regret people have when they look back on their lives, is that they took it too seriously. What’s missing for so many people is PLAY, the ability to have fun. Playing is not reserved only for children It’s what keeps us young at heart, passionate in our work and allows our relationships with others to thrive and grow. When we do take time to relax and enjoy life, we are consumed with guilt that we are wasting time and should be doing something more constructive. 

We need to realise that we cannot afford not to play. If we constantly suppress our natural and instinctive tendency to have fun - it can manifest in unhealthy ways e.g. having an affair, using drugs, eating or shopping compulsively. We need to constantly remind ourselves what play is, then actively choose to do it.

Work and play needn’t be separate activities, finding enjoyment in your daily slog helps you get through the day. Limit how much work infiltrates your playtime e.g. the over use of cell phones – we walk and talk, eat and talk, relax and keep talking. Constant availability has become a liability.

When you do play do it for pure pleasure, not for any gain. You don’t have to always beat your squash partner. Your sewing skills don’t need to be boutique perfect. If you have too many expectations and goals - you will change an activity you love into a chore. Having fun requires no agenda, apart from providing you with pleasure. So what if for the next hour you just lie on the grass and watch the clouds make patterns in the sky? Playtime can be solitary, involve friends or loved ones, may even be time spent with a favourite pet, but it must take you away from life’s seriousness.

So go ahead and Play

• Read the comics before the financial indicators
• Instead of your normal healthy muesli have a bowl with something luridly coloured, preferably out of a packet that includes a toy!
• Have to wear a conservative suit all week? Buy yourself some fun underwear to wear underneath
•  Hold a games party – anything from Monopoly to 30 Seconds. Have a murder party and make everyone dress up
• Be more spontaneous – say “Yes” to invitations you may have previously felt too busy to accept
• Don’t wait for conventional holidays to celebrate – have a 17th day of the month party. Why? Just because …
• Bring out the good glasses and china for your family to eat off
• Make mud pies in the garden – even if you don’t have children
• Buy chocolate cake mix. Mix and eat raw!
•  Build a kite, a model airplane and then try and make it fly
•  Spend time with those you care about, but remember time just for you. To do what you want, when you want to, for whatever reason. Nothing can slow down the aging process but if we keep playing we will remain forever young inside.

Abundant Joy

Indulge your senses with joy

• Save on electricity–spend an entire evening reading, eating by candle light
• Visit an art gallery, a museum, go to a concert, even just visit a flea market and let the creativity of others fill you with joy 
• Do something silly, like dancing in the rain, wearing those ghastly paper crowns found in Christmas crackers, have Ghost Pops for supper 
• Stand outside after the rain and smell the fragrance of the earth 
• Luxuriate in a lavender scented bath, surrounded by candles, glass of wine in your hand and the children watching a video! 
• Listen to soothing music (Josh Groban, City of Angels) a change from the often mindlessly, repetitive music played on the radio 
• Plant and watch something grow, even if it is a sunflower or a mini herb garden on your back window sill 
• Go ahead and indulge yourself, forget the calories have a double thick choc nut milkshake with cream and a Flakey  

Try doing something challenging

• Phone someone you haven’t spoken to for a while and make their day
• Clear out your cupboards, oh! the joy of actually finding things again 
• Laugh at yourself when the going gets tough. Ask yourself; “Will I even remember this crisis 1 year from now” 
• Make a list of 10 hope inspiring items e.g. a drop in interest rates, the generosity of fellow South Africans. Next week add 10 more. If you keep your eye on the Good News around you, you will spend your life being joyful. 
• Express your gratitude to those that mean a lot to you in a letter, poem or picture.

Click here for further tips!