2017 January Articles Archives

Twenty tips for a positive New Year

There may be many factors and obstacles in life that get you down, but adopting a positive attitude to start the New Year with will see you through them all.

It’s that time of the year again – the time to look back and reflect on an old year gone by but also to look forward and reflect on how you can make the upcoming New Year a better experience for all concerned. The positive decisions you make and the actions you decide to take will hopefully help shape, govern and guide you through all the unexpected ups and downs of the New Year.

Twenty tips for a positive new year

Take brief look over your shoulder, acknowledge the positive things that happened last year, learn from your mistakes and then resolutely face the future.
Start each day in the right frame of mind. It may take a bit longer for some than for others to wake up and feel bright, breezy and positive but make the choice anyway.
Eat a hearty, protein-rich breakfast every day and stop unhealthy snacking in its tracks.
Bless others by sending a positive e-mail to someone before you start your day’s work.
Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you but also care enough to challenge you when you make bad decisions.
Live healthier. Eat well, exercise more, sleep more and incorporate relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and prayer into your daily routine.
Don’t make decisions based on guilt or fear. Make sure a decision is morally sound and then go for it with passion.
Help others and do good. It releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin in your body while lowering levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
Set boundaries to your technology use. Technology can very easily steal from other areas of your life such as time to exercise or play sport. Spend focused time with your family.
The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.
Change the atmosphere in your home or office by always giving warm greetings and farewells.
Keep hope alive. Wheelchair-bound Stephen Hawking and Joost van der Westhuizen remind us that however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.
Resolve to take the good, bad and ugly that life might throw at you with good grace. “That which does not kill me makes me stronger is not a law of the universe. What it can be, if we so choose, is a resolution”, says Julian Baggini.
Time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
Be a peace-maker. Let go of anger and resentment, forgive and let live! You will be surprised at the benefits you reap.
Read more good books and take more time to listen to good music.
Life is full of beauty. So slow down, notice it and stop to smell the roses.
Laughter is a natural anti-depressant. Do it more often.
Good advice from Jon Gordon: “Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in your purpose, people and the positive present moment.”
Follow Ralph Waldo Emerson’s advice and “write it in your heart that every day is the best day of the year”.

Sources

Evans, L. Four ways to get into a positive mindset for the New Year. Retrieved from: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230427
Gordon, J. Twenty tips for a positive New Year. Retrieved from: http://www.jongordon.com/20-tips-2016.html
Quotes. Retrieved from: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_life2.html
Sephton, M. Four tips to make better decisions in 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/286026?utm_source=Contributors&utm_medium=site&utm_campaign=iScroll

zara2021-03-15T16:59:42+00:00

Workplace trends in 2017

Prepare for 2017 because there will be brisk innovation in the way business is done. Advances in technology and the millennial impact on office culture will continue to influence workplace trends.

Office design and furniture

Changing work styles, technology and culture will drive how we use our office spaces in 2017. More emphasis will be placed on office design and the functional use of office furniture. The work environment will be decluttered and free of distractions. The trend will be towards shared spaces with multi-functional furniture. Unassigned private alcoves will be available when needed.

Rise in collaboration between colleagues

Lowering or removal of physical barriers will break down the walls in communication and will result in greater teamwork between work colleagues. More opportunity for engagement will be provided, which will lead to more productivity.

Digital technology

Technology is growing with lightning speed and the integration of digital technology will continue to increase in 2017. Wearable technology and smart devices, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of things (IoT) and mobile devices will increase mobility and open up possibilities for employees to work remotely or from anywhere within the office. Smart devices will be worn on-the-go and keep employees connected with the digital world.

Work-life balance

Wearable technology devices, such as Fitbit, will be used to keep track of the movement, eating habits and sleep activity of employees. Studies have shown that healthy employees have lower health care costs and fewer lost workdays. Managers will be trained to recognise signs of overwork in employees and be proactive in preventing problems due to work stress.

Flexibility

A more flexible management style is envisaged which will allow employees to work independently without the pressure of having to be at the office at certain times. This management style will be necessary to attract and retain top talent. Flexibility will benefit both the employer and the employee, and at the same time accomplishing the need for operational efficiency.

Employee engagement

A key aspect for management in 2017 will be super transparency at all times. More importance will be given to employee engagement to improve business efficiency. An “engaged employee” is defined as one who is fully absorbed by and enthusiastic about his or her work and so takes positive action to further the organisation’s interests.

Social media marketing platforms

We are now living in a social media dominated world, and businesses will take full advantage of it. However, this means that businesses need to know what to do to capitalise on it and use the various platforms to their advantage. In 2017, efforts will be transferred from social networks to social message applications. Companies will be able to consider this as another ecommerce option.

Automation of payroll

The use of modern payroll software will automate the way employees will get paid. It will have built-in features such as time, attendance and leave management systems and will help to drastically increase productivity.

Sources

https://project-management.com/7-workplace-trends-youll-see-in-2017/
https://www.biztimes.com/2016/11/28/first-look-2017-workplace-trends/

2017 Social Media Trends

zara2021-03-11T13:30:33+00:00

Ten money saving tips for the new year

It may seem far-fetched and impossible to save money in a year predicted to be even more difficult than the previous. It is possible, though!

1. Control your finances

Draw up a budget and stick to it. You can’t find a path through the wilderness when you’re blindfolded. A budget helps you see the bigger picture. Also, get out of debt as fast as you can and start saving for a rainy day even if it’s only by putting all your R5 coins in a jar or piggy bank!

2. Use cash

Only carry enough in cash to cover your purchases for the day and leave your credit card at home. This will help you budget how much you are going to spend before you leave home and what you are going to spend it on. It will also help curb impulse spending.

3. Hit the after-season sales

Shop for winter clothes at the beginning of summer when shops are desperate to get rid of old winter stock and vice versa. Don’t blow your budget on extreme fashion trends that won’t last but make a bee-line for the expensive stuff such as good quality coats, cardigans, shoes, especially winter boots, etc. Do the same with Christmas gifts and decorations.

4. Pay now, fly later

Plan next year’s holiday now. Save on airfares and hotel or other accommodation by booking well in advance and at the “old” year’s prices. Fly mid-afternoon or mid-week for further reductions. Go on holiday during the off-season − or stay at home.

5. Eat out on/at the house

Look for special offers such as “buy one get one free”, etc. Many restaurants also have loyalty cards where you can earn points and eventually a free meal. The best alternative is to stay home and prepare your own meals using fresh, organic vegetables from your own vegetable and herb garden!

6. Drive like a gogo (grandmother)

Hug the slow lane and drive as slowly as you can (100 km per hour or slightly less on the open road) to save on fuel. Don’t let the taxis bully you – ignore them! Also, check out what your car is worth at the moment (current residual value) and ask your insurer to adjust your premiums.

7. Save on electricity

Your geyser and stove, especially the oven, push up the costs of your utility bill. Put a timer on your geyser and remember to switch off before you go on holiday. Remember that rates are higher during peak times (early mornings and after five in the afternoons). Use solar energy where possible.

8. Drop the DStv subscription

Yes, it’s possible! Movies and must-watch series can be rented or bought cheaply (three DVDs for R100, etc.) and because bad news travels fast, you can and will be kept abreast of current events, anyway.

9. Be kind to the environment – go green

You will be surprised to find out how inexpensive and easy it is to use more natural ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda, lemon juice and vinegar, etc. to clean your home.

10. Save on medical costs

Stay healthy; eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, on the cheap not at the gym, get enough sleep and stop to smell the roses!

Sources

Expert tips for surviving the weak rand. Retrieved from: http://www.fin24.com/Money/MoneyManagement/expert-tips-for-surviving-the-weak-rand-20160112
Thirty tips to help you save money. Retrieved from: http://www.essentials.co.za/money-work/spend-less-worry-less

2021-03-16T11:27:41+00:00