Business etiquette - no spamming

Business etiquette tip – Don’t spam your networking contacts!

It seems ridiculous that such an obvious statement needs to be made, but I’ve written about this before – that it’s poor business etiquette to spam someone you’ve met networking. No matter how you sugar-coat it, adding someone to your list without their permission is spamming (see definition on the right). Handing over my business card when I first meet a …

Every step counts

Habits, comfort zones, procrastination whatever you want to all it, all keeps us stuck.  Stuck doing the same thing over and over again. I found this quote incredibly compelling: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” I want to put it out there that every step counts, even the tiniest of changes, because every step takes you closer to …

Justifiable Procrastination

Hands up, who’s guilty of this? As I juggle my competing priorities this year – work, home, studies, I’m constantly fighting the urge to justify my procrastination.  Every task I have to do is necessary in my overall scheme, but when I am truly honest, I know I’m often picking one task over the other because I am procrastinating. Some food …

The difference between knowing your limits and short-changing yourself

A rather personal post today, after an unintentionally long absence.  Read on and you’ll understand why. “You can’t do that.  You’re insane” I have deliberately messed up my work-life balance this year, adding study to my already hectic life. And of all things, I’m attempting a law degree. Yes, it’s one more ball in the air, and a really big one. …

Team Building

Diversity is a risk

I’ve seen this happen time and time again.  Managers and business owners who hire people like them, because naturally, we like, trust and respect people who are like us.  It’s familiar, safe, and predictable. I read this article on Women’s Agenda this morning – “Why focussing on the team could lead to greater diversity” *, and it got me thinking …

Breastfeeding in public – double standards and hypocrisy

The “breastfeeding in public” debate is back in the news again.  Unbelievable.  Why do breastfeeding mothers have to feel like second-class citizens and be discriminated for doing what is one of the most natural things in the world? Kochie’s Breastfeed anytime, anywhere….. discreetly opinion has provided fodder for several of my conversations in recent days, and of all things an …

Breastfeeding and the working woman

I’m off my usual topics today, and am writing about breastfeeding and work.  I’m past breastfeeding now.  My kids are much older and I had forgotten how passionate I used to get when the topic came up in conversation. It came up today, in conversation with a client who commented about how pleased she was to be able to breastfeed …

Is personality testing any better than a horoscope prediction?

“It’s no better than a horoscope”, a former employee once said to me when she declined to be “typed” (type – industry lingo for taking the Myers-Briggs test).   I am generally a sceptic and admit to having been less than complimentary about various personality and psychological tests that I’ve been compelled to take in the past, especially as employment screening tools. …