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Information Overload for Registrants
Information Enterprises Australia (IEA) produces a Registrant Resources edition of Information Overload . Thie edition covers topics of interest for Information Enterprises registrant base and anyone else who is looking for help and assistance in finding alternative work opportunities. Please note you do not have to be a registrant or contractor of Information Enterprises employment services to subscribe to this newsletter. If you would like to subscribe please use the sign up form available from our home page.
Information Enterprises Australia's Registrant Resources Edition - Issue 70 - August 2008 - Talent Management 22nd Aug 2008 [pdf 103.10 kb]
The August edition of Information Overload for Registrants looks at Talent Management. Do you have the ability, aspiration and engagement required by your organisation to assist them with their critical business operations or are you just in it for the money? Personally I feel that chasing money is not the be all and end all of every job. Yes it is nice to be rewarded at a level commensurate with your current level of skills and abilities, but you only tend to get more when you are willing to become more.
Information Enterprises Australia's Registrant Resources Edition - Issue 69 - July 2008 - The importance of inductions 16th Jul 2008 [pdf 96.62 kb]
It has been several years since we have looked at Occupational Health and Safety Issues, so I thought I would rectify that for you today. But in particular I would like to focus on what should happen on Day 1 of your new job. Please note, this applies to all types of positions – including fixed-term contract, casual work, part-time or full-time employment. The risks are the same for you on day 1 as they are for anyone else. As a registrant and contractor with Information Enterprises Australia you are in the interesting situation whereby you can be in many different places throughout your working career, and therefore exposed to many situations and circumstances most people do not experience. This means of course you have to be alert to the many problems and issues that may arise, that perhaps others hadn't thought about. So – let us begin.
Issue 68 - June 2008 - Managing Change 23rd Jun 2008 [pdf 89.72 kb]
After a period of absence from the e-zine lists, a question was posed to you, the readers of this particular newsletter about its continuation or not. I have to say I was a little underwhelmed by the response. Of the 220 newsletters issued – only 9 people responded.
Issue 67 - May 2008 - A Question 30th May 2008 [pdf 72.17 kb]
Looking for advice and suggestions as to future directions of this resource
Issue 66 - February 2008 - New Beginnings 18th Feb 2008 [pdf 82.85 kb]
HR Hints and Tips, Tax and Online Job Boards
Issue 65 - January 2008 - Planning for the year ahead 8th Jan 2008 [pdf 94.22 kb]
January is always a good time to re-visit the topics of planning, preparation and continuing professional development, especially in light of my previous comments, so re-visit we shall.
Issue 64 - December 2007 - Networking 5th Dec 2007 [pdf 97.17 kb]
December is that time of year when there are more functions than time, so it is important to plan wisely which events you are planning on attending, and more importantly the reason why you are planning on attending.
Issue 63 - November 2007 - Knowledge sharing 27th Nov 2007 [pdf 98.92 kb]
Welcome to the November edition of the Registrant Resources Edition of Overload. This edition is out slightly later than usual due to the annual rush to produce the Australian Record Retention Manual. As some of you will know and appreciate at over 700 pages long, it can take a fair bit of time to edit and produce. The good news is, that we have received the first of the items back from production and are being posted out. With the manual out of the way (so to speak) it now leaves me time to get on with other things. This month we look at how we share information, and more importantly knowledge.
Issue 62 - October 2007 - Recruitment drive 9th Oct 2007 [pdf 110.45 kb]
This month we want to know what you are up to! Why? Well we have had more positions than we’ve had people, but a caveat there – people with certain skills and abilities that we know some of you have, that our clients desperately need.
Issue 61 - September 2007 - Courses, Events and Training 10th Sep 2007 [pdf 119.96 kb]
Undertaking personal and professional development is crucial in today’s knowledge driven society. However it can be a rather ad-hoc process, based on what courses are available rather than determining what courses we actually need. The September edition of the Registrant Resources of Information Overload looks at how to ensure that the money that you have set aside for training needs is well spent.
Issue 60 - August 2007 - First impressions 13th Aug 2007 [pdf 24.74 kb]
The August edition looks at the importance of being a director of first impressions.
Issue 59 July 2007 - Attitude? WHAT attitude? 27th Jul 2007 [pdf 24.61 kb]
The July edition looks at the important that attitude has on our ability to get a job and to hold on to it, as well as the attitude that we have towards our personal and professional development.
Issue 58 - June 2007 - Is it time to move? 20th Jun 2007 [pdf 31.29 kb]
With the jobless rate sitting at around 4% we ask - is now the best time to move?
Issue 57 - May 2007 - Team Work 8th May 2007 [pdf 27.84 kb]
The May edition looks at what makes a good team, and how to make that team work.
Issue 56 - April 2007 - Who do you work for? 23rd Apr 2007 [pdf 26.58 kb]
Does your CV read like yellow pages? If you work on contract (through IEA or a.n.other employment agency) and you fail to mention the fact that the 23 positions you've had in the last 12 months were contract positions, then you may find prospective employers wondering why you can't hold down a job.
Issue 55 - March 2007 - Motivating yourself to find work 12th Mar 2007 [pdf 30.14 kb]
I hope you took the opportunity to work through the goal setting exercise in last month’s edition of the Registrant Resources edition of Information Overload. Because it is the answers from those kinds of questions that will determine where you end up at the end of this year, the next five years and the career path that you take. In looking at those things that you say that you want to achieve, and the thoughts and actions that are holding you back from achieving them, you may have already decided on a plan of action. However, I also know there will be some readers who not only didn’t do the goal setting exercise, are also the same ones who are most likely to complain about not being able to get on, that life is unfair, and did you see the size of their pay rise? Why this happens is interesting. It is also the topic of this month’s edition of Overload for Registrants…Motivation.
Issue 54 - February 2007 - Goal Setting 26th Feb 2007 [pdf 32.75 kb]
Goal setting and goal achievement is possible, if you know the right kinds of questions you need to ask yourself.
Issue 53 - January 2007 - Promotions 29th Jan 2007 [pdf 32.99 kb]
Good Morning and welcome to a brand New Year. I hope this finds you well and already enjoying the many successes this year will bring. This month I would like to talk to you about promotions, and whether or not you are ready to take the next step up the corporate ladder. The start of the new year is always a good time to see if what you have been doing is still working as well as it could be, or whether or not some changes to the way your life turns out need to be made. Because the old adage is true, if you continue to do the same things in the same way, you will get the same results. And only you can decide if that is OK.
Issue 52 - December 2006 - Social Networking 14th Dec 2006 [pdf 30.90 kb]
December is always an interesting time for get togethers and social functions. We have an opportunity to meet people we may have not had the opportunity to meet with socially, or had many chances to chat during the working hours, and why should you – you're there to work !!! But seriously, we see lots of people in a formal setting on a daily basis, Christmas and the run up to the festive season is an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and interact with people you may otherwise not speak to. This month we have a quick look at the Social Networking aspect of our working lives.
Issue 51 - November 2006 - OH&S (Occupational Health and Safety Issues) 14th Nov 2006 [pdf 29.93 kb]
This month we are going to be focussing our discussion on the topic of Occupational Safety and Health. Hardly an interesting topic you might think, but one that we haven't looked at in a long time. As you will be out and about over the next couple of weeks, eating, drinking and finding time to be very merry, it is probably the best topic we could choose however.
Issue 50 - October 2006 - Problem solving 17th Oct 2006 [pdf 31.51 kb]
Having just returned from our first \"Let's Talk Over Breakfast Series on Implementing EDRMS Training\", it prompted me that this would be an ideal topic to cover in this month's topic. Not Implementing EDRMS Training per se, Carol Dasey and Simon Wahl did that far better than I could hope to. But rather, where do you go to get help to solve a particular problem. We will also take a look at the importance of mentoring with regards to this subject.
Issue 49 - September 2006 - To be the best in your field 7th Sep 2006 [pdf 34.00 kb]
The September edition takes a look at how you can be the best in your field.
Issue 48 - August 2006 - Are your skills rusty? 21st Aug 2006 [pdf 25.71 kb]
We’ve spoken many times about how to deal with gaps in your CV and the skills you need to do the jobs that are currently on offer. But what about the skills you say you already possess. Are they as sharp as they once were, or are they getting a little blunt and rusty from a lack of care and nurture?
Issue 47 - July 2006 - Benefits of contracting 19th Jul 2006 [pdf 27.27 kb]
We look at the benefits (or not) of joining the ranks of the contractor sector. If you have ever wondered what it was like to work on fixed-term contract but haven't been motivated to find out on a personal level, we hope this edition will give you some food for thought. Of course if you would like to experience first hand the benefits of joining (or re-joining) the contract sector, then please contact our offices, we would love to hear from you, we have project work and contracts waiting for those people with the right skills and abilities.
Issue 46 - June 2006 - Taxing times 12th Jun 2006 [pdf 26.45 kb]
Money is a very emotive issue, this month we take a look at the amount of tax that you pay and what you can do to ensure that you can earn more.
Issue 45 - May 2006 - Where to find job information 11th May 2006 [pdf 35.62 kb]
Do you know what you want to be when you grow up? Depending on the job that you want to do will depend where you need to look for jobs that are on offer. We show you some of the traditional places and offer some not so traditional suggestions as to where your next job will come from.
Issue 44 - April 2006 - Your CV: Probably the most important document you will ever write 3rd Apr 2006 [pdf 32.83 kb]
This month we re-visit the most important document you will ever write – professionally speaking. We are of course, talking about your CV or Curriculum Vitae. This document has the power to get you to the interview stage or an application process or not depending on the words that you use. The question is, why don’t we give it the importance it really deserves?
Issue 43 - March 2006 - Advanced internet searching 6th Mar 2006 [pdf 31.13 kb]
If I asked you to do a search on the Internet for information relating to a particular organisation, where would you go? Chances are you said “GOOGLE” and you are not alone. It’s easy to use and is the number one search engine of choice for most people. Simply type in a few words in the search box and hope the information you wanted comes back within the first one or two pages. But is there more to Internet Searching than "google"?
Issue 42 - February 2006 - Capitalising on the successes 7th Feb 2006 [pdf 26.68 kb]
Job applications and interviews. How do you know what is working for you and what you need to change in order to capitalise on your successes and land that perfect job.
Issue 41 - January 2006 - Registrant information and standards of behaviour 18th Jan 2006 [pdf 23.58 kb]
Do you remember receiving a copy of the Registrants Handbook when you registered for work with IEA? Inside this rather lengthy document there are a number of do’s and don’ts associated with being a contract employee (and this applies no matter which employment agency you happen to be working for). Section 4 – covers your roles and responsibilities, and in particular the Contractors Professional Code of Conduct. What follows is a little light hearted attempt to highlight some of the more serious issues.
Issue 40 - December 2005 - It's all about attitude 12th Dec 2005 [pdf 34.37 kb]
This month we take a look at attitude, and in particular \"words\", and the impact both can have on your future.
Issue 39 - November 2005 - Learning to say no - turning a job offer down. 10th Nov 2005 [pdf 34.16 kb]
This month we discuss turning job offers down. This may seem like rather a strange subject to look at, however, there may come a time when you will have to consider the possibility that the job you thought looked great on paper, turned out to be less than perfect.
Issue 38 - October 2005 - Workplace conflicts 13th Oct 2005 [pdf 24.50 kb]
This month we have a look at a common hazard in our workplaces, but one that is perhaps the least understood. We are talking about bullying and harassment, and why it is important that it is discussed and dealt with. We hope you find the information of interest and use.
Issue 37 - September 2005 - Netiquette 15th Sep 2005 [pdf 25.64 kb]
This month we go completely off the subject and into online etiquette, commonly termed \"netiquette\" and the problems we face when trying to communicate clearly without the use of things such as body language and eye contact. We hope you enjoy reading.
Issue 36 - August 2005 - Are you short on experience? 19th Aug 2005 [pdf 35.14 kb]
We try and give an answer to a common problem – how can I answer a question on the selection criteria, when I don't have the experience they say they want?
Issue 35 - July 2005 - Job advertisements and close closing dates 11th Jul 2005 [pdf 43.05 kb]
Job advertisements and closing dates are the topic for this edition of Overload. What you can do to ensure you are ahead of the competition when it comes to applying for that all important job and we try and explain the philosophy behind IEA's latest publication – F is for filing.
Issue 34 - June 2005 - First impressions do count 16th Jun 2005 [pdf 26.79 kb]
We’ve all heard the premise that first impressions count, and that people really do make up their minds within the first few seconds (let alone minutes) of meeting you. But how true is it? Well, unfortunately, people do make assumptions about others based on what they see and observe. Be honest, we’ve all done it, haven’t we? The question is - How accurate were your observations?
Issue 33 - May 2005 - Monetary considerations 12th May 2005 [pdf 26.78 kb]
This is perhaps a timely edition due to the recent budget announcements made by the government, but instead of talking about tax cuts (although that will be mentioned) we ask the question – how much are you worth, and am I getting a fair rate for the job that I do.
Issue 32 - April 2005 - Workplace stressors 11th Apr 2005 [pdf 37.14 kb]
what constitutes a stressful environment? This edition looks at some common workplace stressors and offers some advice you can take to minimise the effects in your working life.
Issue 31 - March 2005 - Super choice 17th Mar 2005 [pdf 90.75 kb]
Welcome to this month’s edition of IEA’s registrant resources e-zine “Information Overload”. This month we look at the changes to superannuation that have been made by the government, and how their “choice” will impact on you and the organisations that you work for.
Issue 30 - February 2005 - Staying motivated when looking for work 10th Feb 2005 [pdf 29.79 kb]
Welcome to this month’s edition of IEA’s registrant resources e-zine “Information Overload”. This month we will be looking at those times when you find yourself looking for work for whatever reason. It may be that you are in need of a change but are not sure if you are ready to step outside of your comfort zone, or you are returning to the work force after a period of absence, you have found yourself “downsized” or your contract has come to an end. We will look at ways to stay motivated throughout periods of change and “down time”.
Issue 29 - January 2005 - Procrastination 12th Jan 2005 [pdf 26.71 kb]
A New Year always seems to me to bring the prospect of starting over, of clearing out the clutter from the previous 12 months and to decide where you want to be at the end of the next year. The thought can be both exhilarating and somewhat overwhelming, and you may wonder how on earth you can expect to achieve all that in such a short period of time. As with all things as the days turn into weeks, and the weeks into months, your resolve to make a difference, to create change in your life is diminished until such time you end up doing virtually the same things that you did last year, and the year before that. Do you find yourself procrastinating over every thing you do, running to catch up with the tasks you should have done last week and now you have a list of all the tasks you should be doing today, only to find that you simply don’t have enough hours in the day to get them all done. If you are anything like the rest of your colleagues and acquaintances chances are that by the time the end of the year arrives, you will have achieved little or nothing from the list of goals that you had so carefully decided upon at the beginning of the year. With the recent devastation and huge loss of life caused by the Boxing Day disaster, the bush fires that continue to ravage our states and territories and the many natural and man made disasters that can and do befall us has once again made me question: What is important? What truly needs to be done? And what would you be happy to leave having left undone, should you leave this earth tomorrow? We take an in depth look at procrastination and how it can be the thief of time, stealing precious moments from our lives, and ultimately preventing us from doing what we want and need to do.
Issue 28 - December 2004 - The importance of reading 9th Dec 2004 [pdf 25.78 kb]
What are you reading at the moment? This may sound like a rather strange question, so I will endeavour to explain why I am interested in the reading material on your bedside table.
Issue 27 - November 2004 - It's party time 25th Nov 2004 [pdf 42.38 kb]
Well it is almost here yet again. What is I hear you ask? The silly season of course, otherwise known as Christmas. This month we will be looking at the many issues surrounding Christmas “do’s” and work related social functions, the etiquette and what happens when it all goes horribly wrong. For those of you who are also working on contract there is a timely reminder for you all. Whilst you may groan at the thought that I am going to be getting on my soap box and telling you what you can and cannot do – please remember that the reason we put these newsletters together is because we have a duty of care to you, and more importantly you have a duty of care to yourselves and your colleagues.
Issue 26 - October 2004 - Travelling overseas? 14th Oct 2004 [pdf 29.49 kb]
Have you ever had a desire to travel? We look at some of the options that are available for travelling and working interstate and overseas, if you have ever wondered what it would be like to experience life and culture in another place, another time, another country, then please read on. The journey is about to begin.
Issue 25 - September 2004 - Discrimination 16th Sep 2004 [pdf 24.84 kb]
Have you ever been told that you are too old, too young, have too much experience or not enough, Have you been told you are too short (at one point if you wanted to be a policewoman in the UK you had to be over 5’4” tall), too tall, too fat, too skinny, do you have the wrong hair colour, gender, race, religion or sexual proclivities? Discrimination, the list is as long as a person’s own bias.
Issue 24 - August 2004 - Questions, questions 19th Aug 2004 [pdf 20.92 kb]
At the end of the second year of publication it is time for you to let us know what you think of your newsletter. Please take a moment and let us know what it is you like, and conversely what it is you don't like about the newsletters. We appreciate your time and your feedback.
Issue 23 - July 2004 - Networking 15th Jul 2004 [pdf 28.64 kb]
If you don’t have a job, remember that looking for and finding a job IS your job, until you get one. If you are half hearted in your attempt to find work – I’ll apply for that position tomorrow, I’ll re-vamp my CV later, then you will get half-hearted results. They say that you only get back what you are willing to put in. Well I have to disagree with whoever “they” are. I think the “universe” definitely rewards those who take the time and the trouble to give – be it time, money, kind, knowledge. The reward is usually far greater than you would reasonably expect to receive. Some people say it is the three-fold law of three, some say it is karma. Whatever your philosophy or belief happens to be; all you have to remember is that which you focus on is what you will receive. If you are focussing on daytime TV and books and movies that do little other than entertain, then you will not attract the job you want, the lifestyle that you want, the people that you want to be around. As Zig Ziglar says “What comes out of your mouth is determined by what goes into your mind.” If you fill your mind with positive belief that you will get the job of your dreams, but do not do the studying you need to get the qualifications required, or you spend time in the coffee shop with your friends rather than on your job application, then I have to say that you are deluding yourself. Yes, you have to have positive belief in yourself, that is important. But you must also back up that positive belief with positive action. What are you going to do today to get the job that you want, and the career that you deserve? Who do you need to talk to? Where do you need to go, who do you need to see? This month’s newsletter looks at the art of networking. If you are serious about your career and learning everything that you can possibly learn, then networking is just as important as the last job interview that you went on, possibly more so. There are some people who think that they have “made it” when they get their first professional position, and sit back and relax and put their feet up on the new desk, and assume that the promotions and pay rises are assured. Working on your job and your career is just as important as getting a job in the first place. There should be no room for complacency in your professional life.
Issue 22 - June 2004 - Public speaking 17th Jun 2004 [pdf 32.92 kb]
Do you suffer from glossophobia? It is interesting to note that the people who suffer from glossophobia rank it in the same stress bracket as moving house, divorce and changing job. But what I find most intriguing is that nearly everyone has suffered from this particular fear (or phobia) at one time or another. Now before you run off to find a dictionary, glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. I am not afraid to admit that I used to dread standing up in front of a group of people and speaking to them. It did not matter what the subject matter was, I just hated the thought of having to do it. I also noticed that I seemed to have exactly the same problem when it came to “interviews” and the more I thought about it, the more that I came to the conclusion that being asked to go to an interview was exactly the same as being asked to give a presentation to a group of people I’d never met. And the reasons were simple – I was afraid that I would forget what I was going to say, that I wouldn’t be able to answer the tricky questions, that I would make myself look totally stupid. Like most phobias or fears, they can be overcome. And they can be overcome with four simple words - Preparation, Practice, Persistence and Patience.
Issue 21 - May 2004 - Interview preparation 11th May 2004 [pdf 31.44 kb]
We take a look at the importance of changing your thinking about time and the importance of preparing for those very important interviews.
Issue 20 - April 2004 - Answering selection criteria 12th Apr 2004 [pdf 31.27 kb]
There is a lot of information packed into this edition, so grab a notebook and pen or a high lighter and enjoy. If you are not actively looking for work at the moment, you might like to pop across to the http://jobs.wa.gov.au web site and download an application package so that you can work through the process. After all you may need to know how to address selection criteria sometime in the future.
Issue 19 - March 2004 - Covering letters 25th Mar 2004 [pdf 69.38 kb]
You are your own marketing tool. Failing to impress on paper that you are the best person for a particular job means that you are unlikely to be doing it in person.
Issue 18 - February 2004 - CV or Resume 16th Feb 2004 [pdf 30.95 kb]
This month’s edition starts a series of newsletters on the tools that you need to have and the work that you need to do to find work in today’s competitive job market. Over the next few months we will be taking a look at how to write covering letters, addressing selection criteria and interview techniques. But this month’s edition we will look at the importance of having an up to date CV and/or resume, and we ask – what is the difference and does it matter which one you send. As you know we do not use the newsletter as an advertising tool, but this information comes in part from a series of workshops we conducted last year, and a book on the selection and interview process called the First 4 minutes. If you would like more details about this book, please visit the products page on this website.
Issue 17 - January 2004 - Goal setting 15th Jan 2004 [pdf 23.26 kb]
Welcome to the first edition of the New Year, it’s great to have you registered with us. Have you found the time to sit down and plan out what it is you want to achieve throughout the New Year? Or are you happy doing what you have always done? If you find yourself at the end of January wondering where the month went, chances are you are a “drifter” and content to go with the flow. Or are you one of the few who have decided that you are going to chart out new waters and try and find bigger and better things to occupy your mind for the months to come. If you have, congratulations, it’s not an easy decision to make to radically change habits of a lifetime, that’s why most New Year’s Resolutions fail within the first couple of months if not weeks of a new year. Given the first item of this newsletter, this edition has even more urgency than ever before. I think it was Rudyard Kipling who said “Life is too short to be little” so I hope that the start of 2004 will inspire you to do great things, meet new and interesting people, people you will learn from, and people who will learn from you. Visit those places you’ve been putting off going to and doing those things that you are saving for a rainy day – remember we live in Australia, there aren’t many rainy days. So today we will be looking at the importance of goal setting.
Issue 16 - December 2003 - Drug and alcohol policies 11th Dec 2003 [pdf 24.03 kb]
The end of another year, it is a time of reflection, of celebrating achievements and planning the projects for the New Year. It is also a time for the traditional work Christmas lunches and evening social gatherings. It is also a good time for us to look at the issues surrounding the provision or not of alcohol to attendees, and the occupational health and safety issues surrounding the provision of alcohol at work, and during work time. We will also be looking at the interesting subject of drug and alcohol testing. Is it an invasion of privacy, or a justified stance on occupational health and safety grounds?
Issue 15 - November 2003 - Personal development 13th Nov 2003 [pdf 24.54 kb]
In this months issue we will be looking at the marketing and promotion of something very close to everyone of us – ourselves. In particular, we will look at how to ensure that the time you spend putting a job application together is time well spent.
Issue 14 - October 2003 - FAQ's 23rd Oct 2003 [pdf 22.12 kb]
In this months issue we will be answering all those Frequently Asked Questions. We would like to apologise in advance to those of you who know the answers to these points we are about to raise. However, as we have a lot of new registrants with us, we’re sure that our long-standing registrants and friends will permit the indulgence.
Issue 13 - September 2003 - Marketing of library and information services 17th Sep 2003 [pdf 23.52 kb]
“How to provide more services with less money!” Actually there are two aspects to this month’s newsletter; the first as I have said is the marketing of the service in which we work. The other side of the coin is how we can effectively market ourselves. Whilst it can be argued that the two should go hand in hand, in reality the two don’t always go together. As always if you have any comments or suggestions on this month’s topic we would love to hear from you.
Issue 12 - August 2003 - Minimum conditions of employment 18th Aug 2003 [pdf 21.20 kb]
What are the minimum conditions of employment that you should expect to receive, either through ourselves or through other employment agencies or other organisations if you are offered permanent employment?
Issue 11 - July 2003 - Workplace etiquette 2 14th Jul 2003 [pdf 23.45 kb]
In this month’s issue we will be continuing our look at “Workplace Etiquette” and how it impacts on the work that we do, and the relationships we have with our customers. Our customers can be either internal (other staff members) or external (the general public, suppliers or service providers). The quality of these relationships and therefore their experience that they have of us, the level of service that they receive, and their desire to re-use our services is directly related to the quality of our own personal views on workplace etiquette as well as the etiquette of the organisations in which we work.
Issue 10 - June 2003 - Workplace etiquette - Presenteeism 21st Jul 2003 [pdf 21.61 kb]
Today we will be looking at one aspect of \"Workplace Etiquette\". Whilst this may sound like trying to remember which fork to use at a business lunch, or that it's all about common sense and good manners, there is a whole lot more to workplace etiquette than that. In fact, workplace etiquette plays a huge part in all your day-to-day activities, and is concerned with having an established set of structured principles and philosophies by which you can operate confidently and consistently across your professional platform. The subject of etiquette in the workplace is considerable, and one that cannot be covered by a single issue of the newsletter; well not if we want to do justice to the subject matter at any rate. So over the next few editions we will be looking at a number of significant areas of workplace etiquette including the misuse of company property, working in an open plan environment, bullying, sexual harassment and other hazards in the workplace, problems of office politics and the art of communication. Today's issue looks at \"presenteeism\" and what we can all do to avoid this very real problem.
Issue 9 - May 2003 - Customer Service 14th May 2003 [pdf 21.70 kb]
In this month’s issue we will be looking at the issue of customer service, and in particular our attitudes about providing this very basic of services. We all know when we have been subjected to both good and bad customer service, but what does customer service actually mean? And how can we ensure that the organisations that we work for do not foster a culture of poor customer service. What simple things can everyone do to ensure that doing business does not disadvantage anyone?
Issue 8 - April 2003 - Dealing with difficult behaviour 7th Apr 2003 [pdf 23.28 kb]
When was the last time you had a bad day? Did you find yourself saying or doing something that you know you shouldn’t have, but did it anyway. Fortunately for most of us, those days are few and far between, but what happens when you are on the receiving end of someone else’s bad temper, how do you cope? Everywhere you look, there is ample evidence of it, road rage, slamming doors, people yelling at one another, suffering unreasonable behaviour from work colleagues and of course, for those of us who work in the customer service industry, dealing with the general public can be extremely demanding and stressful. So how do you cope with it, and just as importantly when we are having a bad day, how do you make sure you don’t “take it out on” your family, friends and colleagues? In this months newsletter we will be looking at some of the issues regarding how to deal with difficult behaviour. How to recognise the triggers and what you can do to make sure their bad day doesn’t become yours.
Issue 7 - March 2003 - Occupational Health and Safety 6th Mar 2003 [pdf 21.60 kb]
In this issue we will be looking at the very real concerns over Occupational Health & Safety and the changes to the legislation under which we all have to work, but more specifically the issues of OH&S and the Labour Hire Industry. As an employment agency we are under immense scrutiny to ensure that the people that we place in a work situation are not compromised in any way shape or form. Whilst Worksafe appears to be focussing on those industries with a high degree of risk, eg., construction and mining etc, the duty of care that we as an employment agency have towards you and every placement that you undertake for us is paramount, and has been assessed to ensure that you are not placed in an unsafe work environment and that steps are taken to minimise the risks.
Issue 6 - February 2003 - Continuing professional development (CPD) 6th Feb 2003 [pdf 19.03 kb]
Do you have the time to spend on further education and continuing professional development? Do you have the time not to? A friend once said that it wasn’t the actual cost of the book that mattered, it was the cost of not reading the book that was more important. As professionals it never ceases to amaze us just how much we don’t know, and the more we read on a particular subject the more questions we have. How many questions do you have?
Issue 5 - January 2003 - Information, Education and Awareness 20th Sep 2006 [pdf 18.31 kb]
We would like to continue with the Information, Education, and Awareness program that we began last year, and offer an invitation to all those of you who haven't yet attended a session to give us a call and to book your place, and to begin a series of information evenings. The first one will be in February and will be on "How to write a killer CV" Details on both courses are set out below.
Issue 4 - December 2002 - Dealing with stress 18th Dec 2002 [pdf 23.88 kb]
Stress can be a killer. As we move into the silly season it is important to take time out for yourself.
Issue 3 - November 2002 - Professional code of conduct 7th Nov 2002 [pdf 259.46 kb]
I’m sure we’ve all done something in the heat of the moment that we’ve regretted days, weeks or even months later. How many times have you wished that someone, somewhere had invented a time machine that could allow you to go back and undo whatever it was that even now, sends waves of pink rushing up your face that threatens to blow off the tops of both ears. Unfortunately, despite images portrayed in Star Trek and Dr Who they haven’t and we are left to try and come to terms with, and move on from whatever it was that we had done. As professionals we hope that we can limit the number of times that we make serious mistakes, and errors of judgement and more importantly that we can learn from them and hope we haven’t damaged our professional reputation too badly in the process.
Issue 2 - October 2002 - Financial matters 24th Oct 2002 [pdf 220.01 kb]
Financial matters. Money is a very emotive issue.
Issue 1 - September 2002 - Communication 11th Sep 2002 [pdf 207.32 kb]
Are you troubled by communication, or lack of communication skills