Jenny Handley Performance
Mar 02
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

REFOCUS, RE-EVALUATE AND REINVENT YOURSELF

Goodbye February, hello March…this is the month in which all your preparation for the year is now cemented. It is exhilarating to see how days and weeks have developed their rhythm, and you can now see the plans coming to fruition. Autumn provides a little cooling off period, colours change, and so do we. Regular readers of this column will know that as the seasons change I advocate that one should sit and re-focus, re-evaluate and re-invent. When you are self-employed one does not have someone conducting a performance appraisal for you, so you need to construct your own. I therefore take out my personal balance sheet which includes a list of my assets and liabilities, and look at what I am doing well, and what I could be doing better. I also bravely ask clients and colleagues for input, and then work with their constructive feedback. I cast my eye over my list of goals, which I have written in a linear fashion. I include long, medium (annual) and short-term goals (quarterly), and check that I have accomplished what I needed to in order to create a solid foundation. I then have my wheel, in which I allocate time […]
Read More
Feb 23
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

IT TAKES ONLY ONE TO START MORAL REGENERATION

Last week I witnessed many coincidences, one was that when I was being briefed for a forthcoming presentation, I was asked to make the focus on moral fibre. The following day when I popped into my favourite bookstore, the owner asked if I could make my next column about moral regeneration. Listening to the radio prior to penning these words, the announcer highlighted the cause for so much going awry in society. Have we bred a generation that believes you are only immoral, or wrong, when you get caught? What has happened to personal integrity? There is a lovely quote about the sun setting, and not expecting applause…We should not expect praise for doing things honestly and making good choices, it should be ‘our way’. Who is responsible for defining ‘our way’ in a business? Is it a top-down responsibility, or should everyone be making a contribution? This can be termed corporate culture, which is largely the responsibility of the leader and their executive team to define (and reflect through leading by example), but each and every individual in the organisation should be making a contribution to the overall culture. Moral fibre can be defined as the inner strength to […]
Read More
Feb 16
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

CHANGE OF SCENE INSPIRES TEAM CREATIVITY

It is difficult to feel or be creative in certain environments – especially in front of a computer screen or in a sterile boardroom. Last week I hosted a creative brainstorming session for a team, and our first step to success in the process was to choose the right environment. To escape the office and constant interruptions, we chose the beautiful, tranquil gardens of the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, where we could enjoy our tea, protected from the noise and pollution of the city and the only sounds were of the trickling fountain and twittering birds. By getting the delegates to drive there, they physically separated themselves from the daily grind at the office. Most importantly, the team felt like it was a treat, not a chore. We cleared our heads of day-to-day trivia and moved from using our left brains to our right brains. The results were exceptional, and it was not the marketing team who generated the most incredible ideas. Everyone, given the right environment and encouragement, can be creative. Don’t exclude the finance or logistics staff from the opportunity of showing their bright sides. Every individual was given a small blackboard to write on (no laptops or […]
Read More
Feb 09
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

PAVING THE WAY FOR YOUR CHOSEN CAREER

Many of us are fully into the swing of things of the working year, except for those at university, who only get going next week. This column is for you. Use your last week of being on holiday to plan. After a really long break it is hard to get a momentum going, especially when the start of the year is camouflaged by even more socialising. It forms part of your overall brand plan. An important part of your studies is making contacts, friendships and relationships, and often one re-ignites these relationships in business years later.  However, if the socialising has too much focus you may end up adding a year or two to your studies, which makes you lag behind on the starting blocks. See your years as an opportunity to learn more than merely in lectures. Join societies, play sport or even turn your hobby into a business. Watch others succeeding in the industry you have chosen, and preferably, use those long holidays to officially learn and absorb during internships. I am a huge fan of internships, having taken on interns for almost every year. I have witnessed firsthand how important they are, and have closely followed the […]
Read More
Feb 02
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

BUILD ON STRENGTHS WITH CONSTANT LEARNING

Last week I was gentle with you, merely suggesting that you consider some goal setting for the new year. Now I would like to be more directive, as once you have decided exactly what you are aiming for, you have to determine how you will accomplish those goals, or your goals will merely be dreams. When I embark on the writing of a book, I start with the end in mind, the title and front cover, what work it will attract and what impact it will make. Then I work back to decide on content and framework, research, before the actual writing. I then put numbers in place, not only to keep my accountant happy, but because business is about figures like profit, loss, sales, cash flow, print runs, chapters, pages. I write a ‘how’ for each heading. Start your plan with numbers, even if only listing your three main goals. Remember that your budget is your resources – what you have to get you where you wish to be. These are often your strengths, which range from your own special qualities and talents to the people who help you along the way. Have you considered how you will optimise […]
Read More
Jan 26
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

GOAL-SETTING TIPS ON HOW TO FULFIL DREAMS

Of all the columns I write, my favourite is always this one – the first of a new year. The festivities are over and a tight waistband is   the only reminder of the frenetic, fun end to a busy year. Time away from work has allowed reflection on the year gone by, and for the crystallisation of goals for the new year. Some of us are naturally goal-orientated, others more laid-back and likely to let life unfold without right plans. I am definitely of the first variety, and firmly believe that it has stood me in good stead in my working life. My business has survived 20 years, and, whilst it and I have gently morphed into something that was perhaps not part of the original plan, it has achieved what it set out to. I clearly remember the humble beginnings as if it were yesterday. I left a demanding job to spend more time with my toddlers, flexibility being my main goal. Secondary was to make a difference and to do something I really loved. The byline of my business then, a PR and promotions company, was ‘facilitating with flair’. I started with R500 and a fax machine, […]
Read More
Jan 19
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

ADD THE BRANSON INSTINCT TO HIRING METHODS

Last week I was lucky to be working (hard!) in London. One of my meetings was in the Virgin Battleship Building. I was instantly inspired by the enthusiasm, energy and drive of the people who are so obviously committed to the brand…and to the people they work for. In this dynamic environment team members seemed self-propelled, responsible and productive – in spite of their relaxed and informal work setting. My message to leaders out there is – hire like Branson.  Richard Branson of Virgin hires for aptitude, attitude, intelligence (ability to be creative and find solutions), intensity, and integrity…and believes that these qualities are inherent, not learned. I have never made a mistake when hiring on instinct, even when individuals are under-qualified. I think sometimes it may be an advantage – those who demonstrate passion and potential, come with no bad habits, show a great attitude and are grateful for the job – out-perform those who are better qualified.  Qualifications can always be added whilst in employ if you think the candidate deserves or needs them. Think back to school days when a new learner arrived. They were immediately appointed a buddy – someone to show them around, to make […]
Read More
Nov 10
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

Take time to rest and work when you’re needed

Last week reminded me of how busy the last quarter always is, and no matter how much you pre-plan, you cannot avoid overload.
Read More
Nov 03
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

The three P’s that get a grip on stress

At this time of the year we are surrounded by those who are approaching stress and challenges. Some may be about to start writing exams, others are really busy at work.
Read More
Oct 20
by jennyhand in Cape Times – Career Times 0 comments

Help others, help yourself

One of the many challenges of a being a business owner is balancing business and benevolence. One can do a little good here and there, or make a concerted effort to align with one worthy cause.
Read More
Tweets


Recent Posts