BUSINESS TIPS – When is “too much” Too Much?
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2009
It was really interesting for me to realize that the 80/20 principal works, not only in specific areas such as 80% of your clients often only bring in 20% of your revenue, but also in general. I have come to realize that generically speaking, 80% of my results come from 20% of the actions that I perform.
How cool is that? Actually the reality is that we should simplify it even more.
Whilst many of us have several irons in the fire, we function better and are more successful when we focus on one or two things at a time and make them work instead of giving only a ‘fleeting’ attention, time and effort to a great number of things that we are involved in. Often the greater number of things that we see ourselves as involved in don’t even see the light of day.
Simplicity is the name of the game as I have learnt time and time again.
Often complex and complicated problems are best served by simple solutions and often these simple solutions are actually right under our own noses.
Living life in the middle of clutter and in the middle of a hubbub of activity only makes it more difficult to see the simple solution.
Don’t get me wrong, at no time should all the opportunities and ideas just be discarded – there will be room for many of them to blossom and grow at some stage – just not all at once and just not right now.
So as the KISS acronym goes “Keep it simple stupid”!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
MOTIVATION - Understanding Ourselves
MOTIVATION – Understanding Ourselves
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Carl Jung says “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves”.
I know that one of the lessons that I learnt in life at a very young age, is that the “cute” things that first attracted me to a potential love interest was also the first thing that irritated me to such an extent that I ‘fired’ their butts at the first opportunity.
It wasn’t until years later however, that I began to understand the reasons behind this. You see it’s the things that others do that irritate me that I mostly need to change in myself, be it a physical trait or a mindset that needs a change or even a tweak.
For myself, the greater the irritation, the greater my own need for me to change something within myself.
From my blood pressure rising as I drive and try and negotiate the traffic in Gauteng, to losing my sense of humour as I watch in disbelief, yet another stupid advert. The manner in which I react to any given situation reflects my attitude at the time as well as my choice (or lack thereof) to react in the manner that I have.
So the next time that you become irritated by something someone does or says – stop for a moment and think about why it is that you are irritated. Look into yourself, into your heart and the very core of your being, and if you are honest - brutally honest with yourself, you will understand what it is about yourself that you need to change.
In that understanding, a decision is made and in that decision being made an action to change takes place.
In making that change, the direction of your life will also change and you will grow as an individual.
Who would have thought, that the irritating presence or irritating action of a person has brought about some of the most significant changes in my life!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Carl Jung says “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves”.
I know that one of the lessons that I learnt in life at a very young age, is that the “cute” things that first attracted me to a potential love interest was also the first thing that irritated me to such an extent that I ‘fired’ their butts at the first opportunity.
It wasn’t until years later however, that I began to understand the reasons behind this. You see it’s the things that others do that irritate me that I mostly need to change in myself, be it a physical trait or a mindset that needs a change or even a tweak.
For myself, the greater the irritation, the greater my own need for me to change something within myself.
From my blood pressure rising as I drive and try and negotiate the traffic in Gauteng, to losing my sense of humour as I watch in disbelief, yet another stupid advert. The manner in which I react to any given situation reflects my attitude at the time as well as my choice (or lack thereof) to react in the manner that I have.
So the next time that you become irritated by something someone does or says – stop for a moment and think about why it is that you are irritated. Look into yourself, into your heart and the very core of your being, and if you are honest - brutally honest with yourself, you will understand what it is about yourself that you need to change.
In that understanding, a decision is made and in that decision being made an action to change takes place.
In making that change, the direction of your life will also change and you will grow as an individual.
Who would have thought, that the irritating presence or irritating action of a person has brought about some of the most significant changes in my life!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Friday, June 26, 2009
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Staff Need To Be Dismissed Fairly
ARTICLE 3
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Staff Need to be Dismissed Fairly
By Nikki Viljoen – N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
So what does actually constitute a ‘fair dismissal’?
The CCMA usually looks at two specific aspects of what a ‘fair’ dismissal is by looking at either whether the dismissal is ‘substantive’ or ‘procedural’. This means that a commissioner would look at the charges and/or the evidence and then decide whether the employee was dismissed substantively and procedurally fairly.
Substantively fair would mean ‘does the punishment fit the crime’. For example if an employee was dismissed because he reported to work five minutes late for the first time in two years – this would be considered a ‘substantively unfair’ dismissal.
Procedurally fair would mean ‘were the correct legislative and company procedures followed’? For example if the employee took money out of the till for taxi fair and was caught and just dismissed there and then, without a formal disciplinary hearing taking place – this would be considered a ‘procedurally unfair’ dismissal.
Also on the table is whether the employer is consistent in the manner in which the discipline is metered out. Gone are the days when some staff can be disciplined and dismissed for a specific transgression and others, committing the same transgression, go unpunished or punished to a lesser degree.
So remember, discipline must be the same across every sphere – be it senior management, middle management and right down to the general worker. Being consistent is an absolute must.
Procedural fairness ensures that the manner in which the disciplinary action has taken place together with the compliance of the disciplinary policy within the company is correct and fair.
Many CCMA cases are awarded to the employee, simply because the correct procedures were not followed and/or enforced. It is therefore in the best interests of the employer to ensure that their policies and procedures are both compliantly correct and procedurally fair.
According to the Labour Relations Act, the consequence of not following procedure and issuing a procedurally unfair dismissal is financial compensation to the employee. The compensation is limited to a maximum of 12 months of the employee’s salary.
The consequence of a substantive unfair dismissal is either financial compensation to the employee or the employer will be forced to re-instate the employee. In the instances where the employee is re-instated, the employer will have to also pay the employee from the time that he/she was dismissed up to, and including, the time that they started working again. Again the compensation (if they remained dismissed) would be limited to a maximum of 12 months of the employee’s salary.
The value of the compensation is governed by the severity of the unfairness of either the procedure and/or the substantive nature of the employer.
In other words, the less the employer follows the BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act) and the Labour Relations Act, the greater the amount of compensation that will be awarded to the employee.
The high number of cases where the employee is awarded compensation, together with the value of the compensation, evidences that employers are not following the correct procedures and this means that they are then obliged to pay huge fines or penalties.
Losing great sums of money in this manner, in my opinion is like committing financial suicide.
The bottom line therefore is quite simple. Ensure that you have the correct policies and procedures in place. Not only will this ensure that you are in compliance with the law, it will also remove all the emotion from the workplace and the situation.
Should you require assistance with obtaining templates, procedures and/or templates are affordable prices, please contact Nikki Viljoen.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Staff Need to be Dismissed Fairly
By Nikki Viljoen – N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
So what does actually constitute a ‘fair dismissal’?
The CCMA usually looks at two specific aspects of what a ‘fair’ dismissal is by looking at either whether the dismissal is ‘substantive’ or ‘procedural’. This means that a commissioner would look at the charges and/or the evidence and then decide whether the employee was dismissed substantively and procedurally fairly.
Substantively fair would mean ‘does the punishment fit the crime’. For example if an employee was dismissed because he reported to work five minutes late for the first time in two years – this would be considered a ‘substantively unfair’ dismissal.
Procedurally fair would mean ‘were the correct legislative and company procedures followed’? For example if the employee took money out of the till for taxi fair and was caught and just dismissed there and then, without a formal disciplinary hearing taking place – this would be considered a ‘procedurally unfair’ dismissal.
Also on the table is whether the employer is consistent in the manner in which the discipline is metered out. Gone are the days when some staff can be disciplined and dismissed for a specific transgression and others, committing the same transgression, go unpunished or punished to a lesser degree.
So remember, discipline must be the same across every sphere – be it senior management, middle management and right down to the general worker. Being consistent is an absolute must.
Procedural fairness ensures that the manner in which the disciplinary action has taken place together with the compliance of the disciplinary policy within the company is correct and fair.
Many CCMA cases are awarded to the employee, simply because the correct procedures were not followed and/or enforced. It is therefore in the best interests of the employer to ensure that their policies and procedures are both compliantly correct and procedurally fair.
According to the Labour Relations Act, the consequence of not following procedure and issuing a procedurally unfair dismissal is financial compensation to the employee. The compensation is limited to a maximum of 12 months of the employee’s salary.
The consequence of a substantive unfair dismissal is either financial compensation to the employee or the employer will be forced to re-instate the employee. In the instances where the employee is re-instated, the employer will have to also pay the employee from the time that he/she was dismissed up to, and including, the time that they started working again. Again the compensation (if they remained dismissed) would be limited to a maximum of 12 months of the employee’s salary.
The value of the compensation is governed by the severity of the unfairness of either the procedure and/or the substantive nature of the employer.
In other words, the less the employer follows the BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act) and the Labour Relations Act, the greater the amount of compensation that will be awarded to the employee.
The high number of cases where the employee is awarded compensation, together with the value of the compensation, evidences that employers are not following the correct procedures and this means that they are then obliged to pay huge fines or penalties.
Losing great sums of money in this manner, in my opinion is like committing financial suicide.
The bottom line therefore is quite simple. Ensure that you have the correct policies and procedures in place. Not only will this ensure that you are in compliance with the law, it will also remove all the emotion from the workplace and the situation.
Should you require assistance with obtaining templates, procedures and/or templates are affordable prices, please contact Nikki Viljoen.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Thursday, June 25, 2009
MARKETING - Making Time To Market - Part 3
MARKETING
Making Time To Market – Part 3
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting June 2009.
As promised last time, here are some more ideas on ‘making time’ to market yourself/your business.
Sharing some time over coffee or a meal.
I usually set aside, one day a week to do my networking – this means that I usually can be found on a Thursday having a ‘one-on-one’ meeting with several people that I have briefly met at a networking event or meeting. Whilst I have my networking meeting and find out what it is that the other person does, I also take the opportunity to do some marketing as well. On occasion there may be someone that I have already ‘earmarked’ within my data base to meet a particular person and I, on occasion also invite that person along too. It gives me an opportunity to ‘catch up’ with a colleague as well as introduce two people, who in all probability should be doing business together.
Over exercise
Those that know me well, know that I am not too keen on the whole exercise thing. Oh don’t get me wrong, I used to be a sports fanatic and I used to do the gym thing on a daily basis. Then I started my own business and well, that’s where things went pear-shaped for me in terms of my daily routine – somehow the time just wasn’t there anymore. That said, there are many of you who love to exercise at the gym or walk or even when you go and watch a game – how about inviting a colleague or someone that you would like to do business with to your exercise class or on your walk or to watch the game with you. Think about how much business actually gets done on the golf course and use the same opportunity in whatever sport it is that you play or participate in. You’d be amazed at the results that you can achieve.
More tips next time.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Making Time To Market – Part 3
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting June 2009.
As promised last time, here are some more ideas on ‘making time’ to market yourself/your business.
Sharing some time over coffee or a meal.
I usually set aside, one day a week to do my networking – this means that I usually can be found on a Thursday having a ‘one-on-one’ meeting with several people that I have briefly met at a networking event or meeting. Whilst I have my networking meeting and find out what it is that the other person does, I also take the opportunity to do some marketing as well. On occasion there may be someone that I have already ‘earmarked’ within my data base to meet a particular person and I, on occasion also invite that person along too. It gives me an opportunity to ‘catch up’ with a colleague as well as introduce two people, who in all probability should be doing business together.
Over exercise
Those that know me well, know that I am not too keen on the whole exercise thing. Oh don’t get me wrong, I used to be a sports fanatic and I used to do the gym thing on a daily basis. Then I started my own business and well, that’s where things went pear-shaped for me in terms of my daily routine – somehow the time just wasn’t there anymore. That said, there are many of you who love to exercise at the gym or walk or even when you go and watch a game – how about inviting a colleague or someone that you would like to do business with to your exercise class or on your walk or to watch the game with you. Think about how much business actually gets done on the golf course and use the same opportunity in whatever sport it is that you play or participate in. You’d be amazed at the results that you can achieve.
More tips next time.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 118
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
PART 118
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:
“Become an astute listener. Listen more than you speak.”
From Renate’s pen to God’s ears! Honestly folk, this doesn’t only pertain to Networking, but to just about any avenue in business, especially customer service.
Seriously though, one of the biggest reasons that Networking ‘fails’ for a lot of people is because they don’t listen!
Yes, I understand that you want to sell yourself, your product or your service. Yes, I understand that you are in a difficult situation, where you have become quite desperate for sales or a deal. That said, if you just talk all the time and don’t give the other person a chance to tell you what they need, or are looking for and are only concerned about what you can give them (irrespective of whether they need it or not), they will walk away and you will have lost the opportunity.
When you ask someone “how can I help you?” you open up the door to a whole host of possibilities. Not only possibilities for yourself, but also for people in your database or your circle of influence. You tell people that their needs are important to you and that you care about what it is that they need or want and not just about what you want to give them. You tell them that you care enough to listen to them instead of talking ‘at’ them and that my friend is extremely important.
So ‘shut up’ for a few minutes. Calm yourself so that you are not formulating anything in your head until such time as they have finished telling you what they need for you to hear – take down some notes, so that you can look back and understand what their needs are – chances are that even if you cannot help them yourself, you can refer them to someone who can. At some point, you too will be referred.
Remember, Networking is about building relationships and relationships can only be built if there is a ‘give and take’ between two people.
For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.hirs.co.za
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
PART 118
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:
“Become an astute listener. Listen more than you speak.”
From Renate’s pen to God’s ears! Honestly folk, this doesn’t only pertain to Networking, but to just about any avenue in business, especially customer service.
Seriously though, one of the biggest reasons that Networking ‘fails’ for a lot of people is because they don’t listen!
Yes, I understand that you want to sell yourself, your product or your service. Yes, I understand that you are in a difficult situation, where you have become quite desperate for sales or a deal. That said, if you just talk all the time and don’t give the other person a chance to tell you what they need, or are looking for and are only concerned about what you can give them (irrespective of whether they need it or not), they will walk away and you will have lost the opportunity.
When you ask someone “how can I help you?” you open up the door to a whole host of possibilities. Not only possibilities for yourself, but also for people in your database or your circle of influence. You tell people that their needs are important to you and that you care about what it is that they need or want and not just about what you want to give them. You tell them that you care enough to listen to them instead of talking ‘at’ them and that my friend is extremely important.
So ‘shut up’ for a few minutes. Calm yourself so that you are not formulating anything in your head until such time as they have finished telling you what they need for you to hear – take down some notes, so that you can look back and understand what their needs are – chances are that even if you cannot help them yourself, you can refer them to someone who can. At some point, you too will be referred.
Remember, Networking is about building relationships and relationships can only be built if there is a ‘give and take’ between two people.
For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.hirs.co.za
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
BUSINESS TIPS - Being Your Own Boss - Part 12
BUSINESS TIPS
Being Your Own Boss – Part 12
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2009
So here we are almost at the end of this particular journey.
Many of the institutions that you will engage with, will almost definitely ask you for your business plan.
By taking you on this particular journey in the manner that I have however, means that I have taught you how to create your own business action plan. How cool is that and not nearly as difficult as you thought it may be.
Although not quite the same as a business plan, your business action plan evidences the research that you have done, whilst explaining what your business is all about. It also gives you a step by step, logical chain of events that will ensure that you grow yourself a strong and sustainable business.
Now all that is left for you to do is to document everything you have learnt in this series and your business action plan will be ready to go.
Don’t forget to start off by defining exactly what your business is and what the main benefits are to your clients and/or target market.
Make sure that your plan is easy to read and understand by demarcating the various sections and keeping them separate from each other. For example, operational and administrative issues are very different and should be kept apart. Don’t forget to include all the legal/legislative requirements as well as your branding, marketing and sales requirements.
The financial aspects of your business are also extremely important and this should include your pricing module as well as cash flow predictions.
Each step of your business action plan should include the next action step that you intend to take in order for you to achieve your goals.
As your business grows, so too should your business action plan. It should evolve and monitor and even be used as a measurement tool to see what has worked, in order for you to continue to grow your business successfully.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Being Your Own Boss – Part 12
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2009
So here we are almost at the end of this particular journey.
Many of the institutions that you will engage with, will almost definitely ask you for your business plan.
By taking you on this particular journey in the manner that I have however, means that I have taught you how to create your own business action plan. How cool is that and not nearly as difficult as you thought it may be.
Although not quite the same as a business plan, your business action plan evidences the research that you have done, whilst explaining what your business is all about. It also gives you a step by step, logical chain of events that will ensure that you grow yourself a strong and sustainable business.
Now all that is left for you to do is to document everything you have learnt in this series and your business action plan will be ready to go.
Don’t forget to start off by defining exactly what your business is and what the main benefits are to your clients and/or target market.
Make sure that your plan is easy to read and understand by demarcating the various sections and keeping them separate from each other. For example, operational and administrative issues are very different and should be kept apart. Don’t forget to include all the legal/legislative requirements as well as your branding, marketing and sales requirements.
The financial aspects of your business are also extremely important and this should include your pricing module as well as cash flow predictions.
Each step of your business action plan should include the next action step that you intend to take in order for you to achieve your goals.
As your business grows, so too should your business action plan. It should evolve and monitor and even be used as a measurement tool to see what has worked, in order for you to continue to grow your business successfully.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, June 22, 2009
MOTIVATION - The Basics To Succeed
MOTIVATION – The Basics To Succeed
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC- June
I am often asked “what is the recipe for success?” Well at the risk of upsetting a huge bunch of the population, let me say this – success for each person means different things. So how you as an individual would then achieve that success would also then vary from individual to individual.
In my opinion through there are certain elements that are necessary, irrespective of what your idea of success may be.
These are (but not limited to) having the right attitude. Your attitude must reflect who you are as an individual. So if you feel that you are lost and on a ‘road to nowhere’ that is exactly what will be reflected in your attitude. Clearly the best attitude to have is a “Winning Attitude”. If you think of yourself as a winner, as someone who can do what is required or necessary, then this will be reflected in the way that you conduct your business.
Don’t get me wrong – you still have to have fun with what you are doing, otherwise – what’s the point?
But getting things done, efficiently and effectively and treating people in an open minded manner will show that although you mean business you are still open to the point of view of others. It’s all in your attitude.
Common sense, although in very short supply, in my opinion also counts for a great deal in having the right attitude as does those who are willing to go the extra mile.
So have a good look at your attitude, the way it is rather than the way you think it is. Be honest with yourself and if you feel that you need an attitude adjustment - there is no time like the present!
What about belief? Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you can be a leader or that you can be true to yourself and that you can make a difference in the lives of others? You see, if you cannot believe in yourself – how is it possible that you think that others would believe in you. Stands to reason don’t you think?
How about commitment? Are you committed to your product/service, to your company and to yourself? Again without commitment to what it is that you are doing – you might as well not even start!
So there you have it, simple really don’t you think? Without the right attitude, belief in yourself and what you do and a strong and defined commitment to yourself and your future, you will have . . . . well nothing really.
The choice is yours.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC- June
I am often asked “what is the recipe for success?” Well at the risk of upsetting a huge bunch of the population, let me say this – success for each person means different things. So how you as an individual would then achieve that success would also then vary from individual to individual.
In my opinion through there are certain elements that are necessary, irrespective of what your idea of success may be.
These are (but not limited to) having the right attitude. Your attitude must reflect who you are as an individual. So if you feel that you are lost and on a ‘road to nowhere’ that is exactly what will be reflected in your attitude. Clearly the best attitude to have is a “Winning Attitude”. If you think of yourself as a winner, as someone who can do what is required or necessary, then this will be reflected in the way that you conduct your business.
Don’t get me wrong – you still have to have fun with what you are doing, otherwise – what’s the point?
But getting things done, efficiently and effectively and treating people in an open minded manner will show that although you mean business you are still open to the point of view of others. It’s all in your attitude.
Common sense, although in very short supply, in my opinion also counts for a great deal in having the right attitude as does those who are willing to go the extra mile.
So have a good look at your attitude, the way it is rather than the way you think it is. Be honest with yourself and if you feel that you need an attitude adjustment - there is no time like the present!
What about belief? Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you can be a leader or that you can be true to yourself and that you can make a difference in the lives of others? You see, if you cannot believe in yourself – how is it possible that you think that others would believe in you. Stands to reason don’t you think?
How about commitment? Are you committed to your product/service, to your company and to yourself? Again without commitment to what it is that you are doing – you might as well not even start!
So there you have it, simple really don’t you think? Without the right attitude, belief in yourself and what you do and a strong and defined commitment to yourself and your future, you will have . . . . well nothing really.
The choice is yours.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Friday, June 19, 2009
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . You Want To Retrench Your Staff
ARTICLE 32
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . You Want To Retrench Your Staff
By Nikki Viljoen – N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Did you know that there are certain instances when you actually don’t have to pay severance pay? How cool is that!
Here’s the deal – Mike is the owner of a retail store in a busy mall and George is one of his sales persons.
The sales in the store have been dropping steadily and Mike is forced to retrench some of his staff – George is one of these individuals.
Mike is very concerned about his staff and their responsibilities and goes out of his way to try and find them alternative employment and manages to secure a position of sales person with one of his colleagues, for George. This position is a little different to straight retail though and it means that George will be on the road (although still locally) and he will have to work a little harder to ‘make’ the sale. In a retail environment, a customer usually walks through the door with the intention to purchase something. In this environment, George is given ‘leads’ and he will have to close the sale.
George is not impressed and refuses to take the position, saying that his job is in a store and it is not his intention to go running around after other people to look for sales.
George is retrenched without a package and goes off to the CCMA. The CCMA find in favour of Mike due to the following.
Mike did get alternative employment for George and said employment was within George’s scope – it’s not like George was expected to go from being a sales person to being a labourer.
The position that Mike secured for George was a positive one and one that George, if he put his mind to it, could do very well in.
George refused to take the offer and the reasons that he gave for turning down the job offer were totally unreasonable.
So there you have it, if you are ever in a position where you have to retrench and you don’t really have the money to pay out huge retrenchment packages, then ensure that you find them reasonable alternative employment.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . You Want To Retrench Your Staff
By Nikki Viljoen – N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Did you know that there are certain instances when you actually don’t have to pay severance pay? How cool is that!
Here’s the deal – Mike is the owner of a retail store in a busy mall and George is one of his sales persons.
The sales in the store have been dropping steadily and Mike is forced to retrench some of his staff – George is one of these individuals.
Mike is very concerned about his staff and their responsibilities and goes out of his way to try and find them alternative employment and manages to secure a position of sales person with one of his colleagues, for George. This position is a little different to straight retail though and it means that George will be on the road (although still locally) and he will have to work a little harder to ‘make’ the sale. In a retail environment, a customer usually walks through the door with the intention to purchase something. In this environment, George is given ‘leads’ and he will have to close the sale.
George is not impressed and refuses to take the position, saying that his job is in a store and it is not his intention to go running around after other people to look for sales.
George is retrenched without a package and goes off to the CCMA. The CCMA find in favour of Mike due to the following.
Mike did get alternative employment for George and said employment was within George’s scope – it’s not like George was expected to go from being a sales person to being a labourer.
The position that Mike secured for George was a positive one and one that George, if he put his mind to it, could do very well in.
George refused to take the offer and the reasons that he gave for turning down the job offer were totally unreasonable.
So there you have it, if you are ever in a position where you have to retrench and you don’t really have the money to pay out huge retrenchment packages, then ensure that you find them reasonable alternative employment.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Thursday, June 18, 2009
MARKETING - Making Time To Market - Part 2
MARKETING
Making Time To Market – Part 2
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting June 2009.
As promised last time, here are some more ideas on ‘making time’ to market yourself/your business.
Attending Networking Meetings, Workshops & other events
Going to events such as these, really gives you an opportunity to tell people who you are and what it is that you do. Often all that is needed is for someone to start the ball rolling and that someone should be you. Exchange business cards, listen to what others do and try and match them up with someone in your data base. Before you know it the favour will be returned and referrals will be flying thick and fast. Try and make it more interesting – take a colleague along with you, you double your value add and your colleague will also have an opportunity to do some marketing of their own.
Traveling
Whether you are on a business trip, and lets face it we all do that from time to time, or whether you are on holiday – make time to meet a colleague or a client or even a prospective business referral. Use times such as meal times – this is ideal for someone who is already on business and means that it is one less meal that you need to eat on your own. If you are on holiday, you still have to eat at some point so it does not take anything away from your holiday time and it is also a great opportunity to find out more about the locals and get great tips on where to eat and what to visit.
More tips next time.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Making Time To Market – Part 2
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting June 2009.
As promised last time, here are some more ideas on ‘making time’ to market yourself/your business.
Attending Networking Meetings, Workshops & other events
Going to events such as these, really gives you an opportunity to tell people who you are and what it is that you do. Often all that is needed is for someone to start the ball rolling and that someone should be you. Exchange business cards, listen to what others do and try and match them up with someone in your data base. Before you know it the favour will be returned and referrals will be flying thick and fast. Try and make it more interesting – take a colleague along with you, you double your value add and your colleague will also have an opportunity to do some marketing of their own.
Traveling
Whether you are on a business trip, and lets face it we all do that from time to time, or whether you are on holiday – make time to meet a colleague or a client or even a prospective business referral. Use times such as meal times – this is ideal for someone who is already on business and means that it is one less meal that you need to eat on your own. If you are on holiday, you still have to eat at some point so it does not take anything away from your holiday time and it is also a great opportunity to find out more about the locals and get great tips on where to eat and what to visit.
More tips next time.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 117
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
PART 117
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. June 2009
I am seriously excited about what is happening at the moment! Seriously excited. Uh huh, I can hear all of you sigh as you roll your eyes heavenwards. Yip – I know that you have all heard me say these words at some point or another, but you know what – I really don’t care, I am still seriously excited. This is why.
All these years that I have been networking is now starting to pay off in a huge way. I have been contacted by, not one, but several institutions with thousands and thousands of members to collaborate.
What does this mean for me? Quite simply this - I am going to be running my workshop all over the country, not just using my data base but also tapping into the data bases of the various institutions that I am now collaborating with. How cool is that?
Not only am I going to be running my workshop all over the country, but I have also done some really cool JV’s with some other institutions. These are institutions that have software that is either free (with upgrades that cost a nominal fee) or free for a month and then cost a nominal fee. The links to this data is on my website. The links to these institutions has been imbedded with a code that directly identifies me and I then get a residual income from it – now that is way cool!
So now do you understand my excitement?
How did I get all of this right? Simple really, I Networked! I didn’t try and make a sale at the first meeting, instead I strove to build a relationship slowly and carefully, one step at a time.
Here’s a real ‘kicker’. One of the chaps who I am collaborating with is in Cape Town and I have never met him! Yes that’s right, we have yet to meet! On the strength of someone else’s ‘say so’, we have connected and now we all stand to make quite a bit of money and at the same time, we will all be touching the lives of many, many people who need help with starting their businesses.
So, do you still think that Networking is not for you?
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
PART 117
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. June 2009
I am seriously excited about what is happening at the moment! Seriously excited. Uh huh, I can hear all of you sigh as you roll your eyes heavenwards. Yip – I know that you have all heard me say these words at some point or another, but you know what – I really don’t care, I am still seriously excited. This is why.
All these years that I have been networking is now starting to pay off in a huge way. I have been contacted by, not one, but several institutions with thousands and thousands of members to collaborate.
What does this mean for me? Quite simply this - I am going to be running my workshop all over the country, not just using my data base but also tapping into the data bases of the various institutions that I am now collaborating with. How cool is that?
Not only am I going to be running my workshop all over the country, but I have also done some really cool JV’s with some other institutions. These are institutions that have software that is either free (with upgrades that cost a nominal fee) or free for a month and then cost a nominal fee. The links to this data is on my website. The links to these institutions has been imbedded with a code that directly identifies me and I then get a residual income from it – now that is way cool!
So now do you understand my excitement?
How did I get all of this right? Simple really, I Networked! I didn’t try and make a sale at the first meeting, instead I strove to build a relationship slowly and carefully, one step at a time.
Here’s a real ‘kicker’. One of the chaps who I am collaborating with is in Cape Town and I have never met him! Yes that’s right, we have yet to meet! On the strength of someone else’s ‘say so’, we have connected and now we all stand to make quite a bit of money and at the same time, we will all be touching the lives of many, many people who need help with starting their businesses.
So, do you still think that Networking is not for you?
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, June 15, 2009
MOTIVATION - Courage To Succeed
MOTIVATION – Courage To Succeed
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
David Viscott says “If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.”
We’ve all heard the words that every great journey starts with a single step! I know that each time I hear those words they resonate deep down inside, but the words of David seems to take it to a completely different level.
You see I remember, I remember each time I embarked on a particularly difficult journey, how it felt inside and how scared I was.
Take for example when I started my business, now six years old, how I struggled with myself and my decision. Making the decision to go on my own was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, yet I knew that if I did not actually make the decision, I would be left ‘wondering’ for the rest of my life! Wondering what life could have, should have been like and that I was not prepared to do.
Once the decision was made, it took about a year for me to set things up in my own mind and then when everything was set up and the first step had to be taken, that is when I seriously panicked! I mean really, what was I thinking? I was in my 40s, I had no alternative income – passive or otherwise. I was seriously putting myself into what could potentially be a dangerous situation. I hesitated and procrastinated, all the while knowing what I had to do but still petrified.
Eventually I got sick and tired of feeling fearful – it happens to me, I get bored with the way that I feel, particularly if it is fear, or even being in a bad mood (it never stays too long because I get irritated with myself). So I took a deep breath and took the big step out into the void and found . . . solid ground.
It’s when I found the core of me, my own value – both issues that I had doubted for most of my life. It was when I found my true strength and character. It was when I took ‘my’ power back from all the others that I had allowed to have power over me and to control me. It was when I found the ‘measure’ of the woman that I was to become.
It is an incredible journey that we travel, this life that we live and if we allow it to be all that it can be, we will truly be who we are meant to be and we would be victorious.
I had the courage to begin and I have never regretted it – do you?
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
David Viscott says “If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.”
We’ve all heard the words that every great journey starts with a single step! I know that each time I hear those words they resonate deep down inside, but the words of David seems to take it to a completely different level.
You see I remember, I remember each time I embarked on a particularly difficult journey, how it felt inside and how scared I was.
Take for example when I started my business, now six years old, how I struggled with myself and my decision. Making the decision to go on my own was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, yet I knew that if I did not actually make the decision, I would be left ‘wondering’ for the rest of my life! Wondering what life could have, should have been like and that I was not prepared to do.
Once the decision was made, it took about a year for me to set things up in my own mind and then when everything was set up and the first step had to be taken, that is when I seriously panicked! I mean really, what was I thinking? I was in my 40s, I had no alternative income – passive or otherwise. I was seriously putting myself into what could potentially be a dangerous situation. I hesitated and procrastinated, all the while knowing what I had to do but still petrified.
Eventually I got sick and tired of feeling fearful – it happens to me, I get bored with the way that I feel, particularly if it is fear, or even being in a bad mood (it never stays too long because I get irritated with myself). So I took a deep breath and took the big step out into the void and found . . . solid ground.
It’s when I found the core of me, my own value – both issues that I had doubted for most of my life. It was when I found my true strength and character. It was when I took ‘my’ power back from all the others that I had allowed to have power over me and to control me. It was when I found the ‘measure’ of the woman that I was to become.
It is an incredible journey that we travel, this life that we live and if we allow it to be all that it can be, we will truly be who we are meant to be and we would be victorious.
I had the courage to begin and I have never regretted it – do you?
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Friday, June 12, 2009
WHAT TO DO WHE. . . . Your Staff Are Insubordinate
ARTICLE 31
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Your Staff Are Insubordinate
By Nikki Viljoen – N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
I tell you – there is some justice in the world. Let’s start at the beginning – what is ‘insubordination’? Well the dictionary says ‘ disobedient and rebellious’. Sounds pretty straightforward doesn’t it? Well usually it can be, however that said there is also a little word called ‘insolence’ and insolence should not be confused with insubordination because this is where the whole issue could become quite confusing. The dictionary says insolence is ‘offensively contemptuous, insulting’. Very similar, but also very different and the courts take this view as well.
So lets bring in the protagonists. Mike owns a small retail store in a busy mall and George is his manager/sales assistant. Mike is busy doing the administration and the store seems to be a bit busy but there are moments of quiet.
1st example :- Mike looks up, sees no-one in the store and asks George to bring him the lever arch file entitled “Invoices” – George replies, “I’m busy right now” – that is considered insolence. George hasn’t refused to comply with the request/instruction, but he has been rude.
2nd example:- Mike looks up, sees no-one in the store and asks George to bring him the lever arch file entitled “Invoices” – George replies, “Get it yourself” – now this would be considered both insolent and insubordinate. You see George has implied that he will not comply with the request/instruction and he has been rude.
3rd example:- Mike looks up, sees no-one in the store and asks George to bring him the lever arch file entitled “Invoices” – George ignores him. Mike asks if George heard him, George confirms that he did. Mike repeats the request and George now refuses to fetch the file saying “it’s not my job”. Now that is straight forward insubordination – George has categorically refused to comply with what is a reasonable request/instruction.
Now here’s the thing – insolence is not a dismissible offence, but insubordination is. The rules still apply though. In the above example, if this is George’s 1st offence, you would not be able to dismiss him, but you could discipline him.
You see subordination is seen to be at the very core of the relationship between the employee and the employer. In the instances where you have a healthy subordinate relationship between the employee and the employer it means that there is an obligation that is maintained. Instructions given by the employer are complied with and the employer is respected. In any business, the employee is expected to ‘obey’ and be ‘respectful’ to the employer. Businesses would not be able to function properly if this were not the case.
One of the things that the courts really look at when dealing with cases of insubordination, is whether the employee (in this case George) intended to challenge the employer (in this case Mike’s) authority.
In this case, the insubordination would be considered minor as there would be no ‘loss to company’ and merely an irritation to Mike. A disciplinary with a warning would more than suffice.
If Mike had to leave the store to attend a meeting and at the point of departure, instructed George to ‘Lock up and arm the alarm’ and George either refused or just did not do it and as a result of this, the store was ransacked and there was a significant loss of stock, Mike would be well within his rights to discipline and find George guilty of gross insubordination – which is a dismissible offence, and then dismiss George.
Make sure that you understand the difference though. If in doubt consult with a reputable Labour Attorney. It will save you money in the long run.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
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WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Your Staff Are Insubordinate
By Nikki Viljoen – N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
I tell you – there is some justice in the world. Let’s start at the beginning – what is ‘insubordination’? Well the dictionary says ‘ disobedient and rebellious’. Sounds pretty straightforward doesn’t it? Well usually it can be, however that said there is also a little word called ‘insolence’ and insolence should not be confused with insubordination because this is where the whole issue could become quite confusing. The dictionary says insolence is ‘offensively contemptuous, insulting’. Very similar, but also very different and the courts take this view as well.
So lets bring in the protagonists. Mike owns a small retail store in a busy mall and George is his manager/sales assistant. Mike is busy doing the administration and the store seems to be a bit busy but there are moments of quiet.
1st example :- Mike looks up, sees no-one in the store and asks George to bring him the lever arch file entitled “Invoices” – George replies, “I’m busy right now” – that is considered insolence. George hasn’t refused to comply with the request/instruction, but he has been rude.
2nd example:- Mike looks up, sees no-one in the store and asks George to bring him the lever arch file entitled “Invoices” – George replies, “Get it yourself” – now this would be considered both insolent and insubordinate. You see George has implied that he will not comply with the request/instruction and he has been rude.
3rd example:- Mike looks up, sees no-one in the store and asks George to bring him the lever arch file entitled “Invoices” – George ignores him. Mike asks if George heard him, George confirms that he did. Mike repeats the request and George now refuses to fetch the file saying “it’s not my job”. Now that is straight forward insubordination – George has categorically refused to comply with what is a reasonable request/instruction.
Now here’s the thing – insolence is not a dismissible offence, but insubordination is. The rules still apply though. In the above example, if this is George’s 1st offence, you would not be able to dismiss him, but you could discipline him.
You see subordination is seen to be at the very core of the relationship between the employee and the employer. In the instances where you have a healthy subordinate relationship between the employee and the employer it means that there is an obligation that is maintained. Instructions given by the employer are complied with and the employer is respected. In any business, the employee is expected to ‘obey’ and be ‘respectful’ to the employer. Businesses would not be able to function properly if this were not the case.
One of the things that the courts really look at when dealing with cases of insubordination, is whether the employee (in this case George) intended to challenge the employer (in this case Mike’s) authority.
In this case, the insubordination would be considered minor as there would be no ‘loss to company’ and merely an irritation to Mike. A disciplinary with a warning would more than suffice.
If Mike had to leave the store to attend a meeting and at the point of departure, instructed George to ‘Lock up and arm the alarm’ and George either refused or just did not do it and as a result of this, the store was ransacked and there was a significant loss of stock, Mike would be well within his rights to discipline and find George guilty of gross insubordination – which is a dismissible offence, and then dismiss George.
Make sure that you understand the difference though. If in doubt consult with a reputable Labour Attorney. It will save you money in the long run.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
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MARKETING - Making Time To Market - Part 1
MARKETING
Making Time To Market – Part 1
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting June 2009.
One of the most frequent lines that I hear from small business owners/entrepreneurs is “who has time to market”? I sure can understand that – hell, if I had my way, we would have 48 hour days and only need to sleep for 4 of these!
Now believe me when I tell you that I am no expert on marketing – I seriously am not! That said, I know that it is of vital importance to get your product/service out there. If you don’t, you will have a problem and it will affect your bottom line.
Here’s the thing though, you don’t have to spend a fortune to market yourself and it doesn’t have to take up hours and hours of your precious time, but you do have to make some time for it. So book the time in your diary and have a plan. Every day we take part in time consuming activities and integrating those activities with a marketing opportunity may just be the key to solving your problem. Here are a few ideas to make marketing a tad easier for the small business owner who is always on the go.
Shopping ‘out and about’.
Whether we are conscious of it or not, we meet new people on a daily basis. Think about it for a moment. How many times have you found yourself frustrated, but still standing in the queue? For me, the bank and the post office or even the annual trip to renew the motor vehicle license, are the most challenging! How many times, in a moment of mutual frustration have you turned to a stranger in that queue and started a conversation? I know I have, and although the conversation usually starts with a moan about how long the queue is or how slowly it is moving, it usually morphs into something else. Remember to introduce yourself and tell them what you do, find out what they do – give them a business card (you see, I told you, you never know when you would need one) and then keep in touch. You’ll be amazed at some of the business you will get out of this kind of encounter.
Reading an Article
By now it must be evident that I really enjoy reading a lot. I understand that there are many people out there that perhaps, are not as passionate about reading as I am. That said, as SMME’s, a certain amount of reading is kind of obligatory if you are to keep up. Whether it is a newspaper article or an article that is related to the industry that you are in or even an article that sparks your interest on a personal level. Now take a minute to think of a few people who are in your network who may enjoy the contents of that particular article and send it to them. Personalize it with a note saying something along the lines of ‘when I read this, I thought it might be something that you would like to read to’. Doing this will just take a few moments out of your time, but the impression that it creates and the value that you add to the relationship that you have with that person(s) is priceless – every time they speak to someone who needs your service and/or product, they will think of you before anyone else.
Next time, I will share a few more of the types of ways that you can integrate some marketing in your daily life.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Making Time To Market – Part 1
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting June 2009.
One of the most frequent lines that I hear from small business owners/entrepreneurs is “who has time to market”? I sure can understand that – hell, if I had my way, we would have 48 hour days and only need to sleep for 4 of these!
Now believe me when I tell you that I am no expert on marketing – I seriously am not! That said, I know that it is of vital importance to get your product/service out there. If you don’t, you will have a problem and it will affect your bottom line.
Here’s the thing though, you don’t have to spend a fortune to market yourself and it doesn’t have to take up hours and hours of your precious time, but you do have to make some time for it. So book the time in your diary and have a plan. Every day we take part in time consuming activities and integrating those activities with a marketing opportunity may just be the key to solving your problem. Here are a few ideas to make marketing a tad easier for the small business owner who is always on the go.
Shopping ‘out and about’.
Whether we are conscious of it or not, we meet new people on a daily basis. Think about it for a moment. How many times have you found yourself frustrated, but still standing in the queue? For me, the bank and the post office or even the annual trip to renew the motor vehicle license, are the most challenging! How many times, in a moment of mutual frustration have you turned to a stranger in that queue and started a conversation? I know I have, and although the conversation usually starts with a moan about how long the queue is or how slowly it is moving, it usually morphs into something else. Remember to introduce yourself and tell them what you do, find out what they do – give them a business card (you see, I told you, you never know when you would need one) and then keep in touch. You’ll be amazed at some of the business you will get out of this kind of encounter.
Reading an Article
By now it must be evident that I really enjoy reading a lot. I understand that there are many people out there that perhaps, are not as passionate about reading as I am. That said, as SMME’s, a certain amount of reading is kind of obligatory if you are to keep up. Whether it is a newspaper article or an article that is related to the industry that you are in or even an article that sparks your interest on a personal level. Now take a minute to think of a few people who are in your network who may enjoy the contents of that particular article and send it to them. Personalize it with a note saying something along the lines of ‘when I read this, I thought it might be something that you would like to read to’. Doing this will just take a few moments out of your time, but the impression that it creates and the value that you add to the relationship that you have with that person(s) is priceless – every time they speak to someone who needs your service and/or product, they will think of you before anyone else.
Next time, I will share a few more of the types of ways that you can integrate some marketing in your daily life.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 116
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
PART 116
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:
“Be prepared, act confident and have your business cards at the ready.”
“Be Prepared” – not something that is hugely difficult, I am sure that you would agree, yet you cannot begin to believe the number of times that I go to a Networking event (not to even mention any other kind of event), where the whole idea of the event is to actually Network and people don’t have their cards with them. I was at a ‘Networking’ breakfast the other morning and sat at a table with nine other people – only one had a business card on her. I shook my head in absolute wonderment – there I was, dolling out bits of paper for people to write their contact details down on.
Ladies, I am sure that you wouldn’t leave home to go to any kind of event without ensuring that you have make up on, at the very least, and gents – I am sure that you wouldn’t leave home without your wallet – yet people to go Networking events, specifically put together, often at great expense for you to Network and build relationships and not a card in sight! What a waste of a perfectly great opportunity!
Really, think about it – carefully. If you want to make the most of every opportunity that could present itself to you and I am sure you would agree that you cannot presume where that may be, then you really do need to be prepared. Being prepared doesn’t mean like being prepared for a boardroom presentation, it quite simply means always having a business card or two on you. Always, always, always – have your business cards on hand. Keep a supply in your car, so that if you don’t perhaps have one in your handbag or wallet that you can, if necessary run out to the car and get one.
So ‘be prepared’ and by being prepared you can be confident and look around you – can you see that opportunity? I can!
For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.hirs.co.za
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
PART 116
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Dr. Renate Volpe, in her nugget cards entitled “Networking Tips” says:
“Be prepared, act confident and have your business cards at the ready.”
“Be Prepared” – not something that is hugely difficult, I am sure that you would agree, yet you cannot begin to believe the number of times that I go to a Networking event (not to even mention any other kind of event), where the whole idea of the event is to actually Network and people don’t have their cards with them. I was at a ‘Networking’ breakfast the other morning and sat at a table with nine other people – only one had a business card on her. I shook my head in absolute wonderment – there I was, dolling out bits of paper for people to write their contact details down on.
Ladies, I am sure that you wouldn’t leave home to go to any kind of event without ensuring that you have make up on, at the very least, and gents – I am sure that you wouldn’t leave home without your wallet – yet people to go Networking events, specifically put together, often at great expense for you to Network and build relationships and not a card in sight! What a waste of a perfectly great opportunity!
Really, think about it – carefully. If you want to make the most of every opportunity that could present itself to you and I am sure you would agree that you cannot presume where that may be, then you really do need to be prepared. Being prepared doesn’t mean like being prepared for a boardroom presentation, it quite simply means always having a business card or two on you. Always, always, always – have your business cards on hand. Keep a supply in your car, so that if you don’t perhaps have one in your handbag or wallet that you can, if necessary run out to the car and get one.
So ‘be prepared’ and by being prepared you can be confident and look around you – can you see that opportunity? I can!
For more information on Renate, please visit her website at http://www.hirs.co.za
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
BUSINESS TIPS - Being Your Own Boss - Part 11
BUSINESS TIPS
Being Your Own Boss – Part 11
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2009
Putting structure and/or foundation into your business is extremely important. It allows you to formulize your infrastructure and means that you work in a consistently ordered way rather than in chaos.
Creating ‘process’ and ‘administration’ sheets will clearly reveal the action that needs to be taken on things that need to be done on a day to day basis. This enables you to create your operations and/or administration manuals. These are the policies, procedures and templates that you would use to ‘run’ your business effectively and efficiently.
Writing your processes down shows people (and your staff and even yourself) how you will conduct your business. Here are some of the steps that you can use to develop your own processes.
1. Name each process, for example – Client’s Quotes.
2. Make a list of the actions that are needed to complete the process. Taking the above example – exactly step by step what is done when you receive a request for a client for a quote on your product and/or service. For each action the name of the person (or the title of the office holder) who is responsible for performing that action, should be recorded. In the above instance if you have stock in house, George the warehouse manager may have to check to see if there is stock available. If there is insufficient stock then Jack who is in charge of procurement, may have to order in, or alternatively if it is a service, the availability of the person concerned may need to be taken into account. The amount of time it takes (or should take) to complete each action should also be stipulated. This will ensure that productivity can be measured too.
3. Once all of these are listed you will be able to define the process correctly.
4. The above steps need to be repeated for each process in your business.
Get your friends, family, colleagues to go through your processes carefully with you, to ensure that you haven’t left any important steps out and don’t forget to update them from time to time to ensure that the information is still relevant and correct.
Make sure that you keep it simple. The simpler the process and/or procedure, the less the opportunity for employees to commit fraud or forget the steps and the easier it is to remember.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Being Your Own Boss – Part 11
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2009
Putting structure and/or foundation into your business is extremely important. It allows you to formulize your infrastructure and means that you work in a consistently ordered way rather than in chaos.
Creating ‘process’ and ‘administration’ sheets will clearly reveal the action that needs to be taken on things that need to be done on a day to day basis. This enables you to create your operations and/or administration manuals. These are the policies, procedures and templates that you would use to ‘run’ your business effectively and efficiently.
Writing your processes down shows people (and your staff and even yourself) how you will conduct your business. Here are some of the steps that you can use to develop your own processes.
1. Name each process, for example – Client’s Quotes.
2. Make a list of the actions that are needed to complete the process. Taking the above example – exactly step by step what is done when you receive a request for a client for a quote on your product and/or service. For each action the name of the person (or the title of the office holder) who is responsible for performing that action, should be recorded. In the above instance if you have stock in house, George the warehouse manager may have to check to see if there is stock available. If there is insufficient stock then Jack who is in charge of procurement, may have to order in, or alternatively if it is a service, the availability of the person concerned may need to be taken into account. The amount of time it takes (or should take) to complete each action should also be stipulated. This will ensure that productivity can be measured too.
3. Once all of these are listed you will be able to define the process correctly.
4. The above steps need to be repeated for each process in your business.
Get your friends, family, colleagues to go through your processes carefully with you, to ensure that you haven’t left any important steps out and don’t forget to update them from time to time to ensure that the information is still relevant and correct.
Make sure that you keep it simple. The simpler the process and/or procedure, the less the opportunity for employees to commit fraud or forget the steps and the easier it is to remember.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, June 08, 2009
MOTIVATION - Taking Some Risk
MOTIVATION – Taking Some Risk
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Ask anyone about how they would prefer their lives to be and chances are that they will tell you that they would like to go through life being healthy, wealthy and happy.
Well folks – here is a splash of reality – if you sit quietly in a little corner, minding your own business and not doing anything – nothing will happen. You will not grow as an individual and you will not grow your business (presuming of course that you even have one). In fact the bottom line is that if you don’t get out there and do something, nothing will happen.
One of the identifiable attributes of an entrepreneur is that they are willing to take risks. Now contrary to popular belief, that does not necessarily mean that they would stand in front of an on coming train. It does not mean that the are necessarily reckless or that they would put the lives of their families and indeed, their own lives at risk. What it does mean though is that they will usually take calculated risks.
Although at first glance, it often seems that they are completely out of control, the fact of the matter is that usually, they are exactly in control.
You see, most entrepreneurs are very aware of the fact that life is not simple, that looking through a pair of rose coloured glasses is not going to give you the reality of what life is all about. They know that life and indeed business can be really, really hard – so hard in fact that it hurts.
True entrepreneurs, who knows all of these things also knows that in order for them to succeed, they will have to be willing to accept the pain that will come from stepping out of their comfort zone. You see, they know the secret and I am going to share that particular secret with you.
You see by being willing to endure a little bit of toughness and discomfort in the short term, they will usually make their lives that much easier in the long term.
Have a look around you – really look. All the people who are crying and moaning and groaning about how tough it is out there are usually the ones who wallow in their tough lives. They are scared of moving forward and doing things a little bit differently, they are scared to go backwards because, well it was tough there too and they are scared to stay exactly where they are because it’s so tough there. So all they can do is moan and whine about how tough it is and how unfair life is – is it any wonder?
On the other hand show me a successful person and you will see someone who has endured the pain, the hurt and the often sleepless nights. They did something though, they moved forward. They took the calculated risks, they sucked up the tough times and they came out the other end, not only successful, but better individuals for it.
It didn’t matter how people laughed at them, or how they were criticized by friends and family, they had a dream and they were committed to their dream and they stuck with it.
It always boils down to attitude in the end – if your attitude and your mindset is right, you will ‘swim’, but if your attitude stinks – you sink!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Ask anyone about how they would prefer their lives to be and chances are that they will tell you that they would like to go through life being healthy, wealthy and happy.
Well folks – here is a splash of reality – if you sit quietly in a little corner, minding your own business and not doing anything – nothing will happen. You will not grow as an individual and you will not grow your business (presuming of course that you even have one). In fact the bottom line is that if you don’t get out there and do something, nothing will happen.
One of the identifiable attributes of an entrepreneur is that they are willing to take risks. Now contrary to popular belief, that does not necessarily mean that they would stand in front of an on coming train. It does not mean that the are necessarily reckless or that they would put the lives of their families and indeed, their own lives at risk. What it does mean though is that they will usually take calculated risks.
Although at first glance, it often seems that they are completely out of control, the fact of the matter is that usually, they are exactly in control.
You see, most entrepreneurs are very aware of the fact that life is not simple, that looking through a pair of rose coloured glasses is not going to give you the reality of what life is all about. They know that life and indeed business can be really, really hard – so hard in fact that it hurts.
True entrepreneurs, who knows all of these things also knows that in order for them to succeed, they will have to be willing to accept the pain that will come from stepping out of their comfort zone. You see, they know the secret and I am going to share that particular secret with you.
You see by being willing to endure a little bit of toughness and discomfort in the short term, they will usually make their lives that much easier in the long term.
Have a look around you – really look. All the people who are crying and moaning and groaning about how tough it is out there are usually the ones who wallow in their tough lives. They are scared of moving forward and doing things a little bit differently, they are scared to go backwards because, well it was tough there too and they are scared to stay exactly where they are because it’s so tough there. So all they can do is moan and whine about how tough it is and how unfair life is – is it any wonder?
On the other hand show me a successful person and you will see someone who has endured the pain, the hurt and the often sleepless nights. They did something though, they moved forward. They took the calculated risks, they sucked up the tough times and they came out the other end, not only successful, but better individuals for it.
It didn’t matter how people laughed at them, or how they were criticized by friends and family, they had a dream and they were committed to their dream and they stuck with it.
It always boils down to attitude in the end – if your attitude and your mindset is right, you will ‘swim’, but if your attitude stinks – you sink!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Friday, June 05, 2009
WHAT TO DO WHEN. . . . Your Staff Want To Take Family Responsibility Leave
ARTICLE 30
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Your Staff Want To Take Family Responsibility Leave
By Nikki Viljoen – N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Welcome back to my protagonists. Mike owns a small retail store and he has one employee – Jane. Jane is married and is now pregnant – what is Mike’s responsibility.
Well here is what the law says in terms of granting Family Responsibility Leave:
1. The law states that your employee is entitled to have 4 (four) months maternity leave. Granted you don’t have to pay her while she is on maternity leave, but she is entitled to take four months and furthermore, you will be obliged to take her back after those four months are up.
2. Should Jane’s now new born child become ill, Jane is entitled to now take 3 (three) days Family Responsibility Leave per annum. Jane is also entitled to take her own sick leave if her child is ill and should that also run out, she would be able to link her annual leave to this as well, and finally when she runs out of annual leave, Mike will be requested to give her unpaid leave.
Here’s there thing though, Jane will have to provide documentary evidence to prove that the child is ill. The normal ‘sick’ leave policy and rules still apply and Mike is entitled to ask for a doctor’s certificate.
3. During the time that Jane worked for Mike, her father passed away. Mike is obliged, by law to allow Jane 3 (three) days Family Responsibility Leave (provided that she has not already taken it for a sick baby – the law states 3 days per annum). Jane will have to produce documentary evidence again, to prove that the person who died, was in fact her father or that they are a member of her immediate family. The law states that an immediate family member is as follows:
a) Spouse or life partner;
b) Parents
c) Children.
Remember to though – the employee is only entitled to 3 (three) days Family Responsibility leave per annum. It cannot be accumulated and it cannot be paid out.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
WHAT TO DO WHEN . . . . Your Staff Want To Take Family Responsibility Leave
By Nikki Viljoen – N Viljoen Consulting CC – June 2009
Welcome back to my protagonists. Mike owns a small retail store and he has one employee – Jane. Jane is married and is now pregnant – what is Mike’s responsibility.
Well here is what the law says in terms of granting Family Responsibility Leave:
1. The law states that your employee is entitled to have 4 (four) months maternity leave. Granted you don’t have to pay her while she is on maternity leave, but she is entitled to take four months and furthermore, you will be obliged to take her back after those four months are up.
2. Should Jane’s now new born child become ill, Jane is entitled to now take 3 (three) days Family Responsibility Leave per annum. Jane is also entitled to take her own sick leave if her child is ill and should that also run out, she would be able to link her annual leave to this as well, and finally when she runs out of annual leave, Mike will be requested to give her unpaid leave.
Here’s there thing though, Jane will have to provide documentary evidence to prove that the child is ill. The normal ‘sick’ leave policy and rules still apply and Mike is entitled to ask for a doctor’s certificate.
3. During the time that Jane worked for Mike, her father passed away. Mike is obliged, by law to allow Jane 3 (three) days Family Responsibility Leave (provided that she has not already taken it for a sick baby – the law states 3 days per annum). Jane will have to produce documentary evidence again, to prove that the person who died, was in fact her father or that they are a member of her immediate family. The law states that an immediate family member is as follows:
a) Spouse or life partner;
b) Parents
c) Children.
Remember to though – the employee is only entitled to 3 (three) days Family Responsibility leave per annum. It cannot be accumulated and it cannot be paid out.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Thursday, June 04, 2009
SALES - How to Increase Yours Sales Income - Part 10
SALES
How to Increase Your Sales Income – Part 10
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting June 2009.
Who would have thought it? Who would have thought that reading books and magazines (other than Heat) would lead me down this particular path?
Now I can understand the confusion about this topic (or lack thereof), so perhaps I should tell you what it is that I am talking about.
Well you see I read a lot – I mean a helleva lot! I usually can be found reading between four and eight books at a time and magazines, well I have a huge pile of magazines that I religiously read through on a daily basis (not that I ever get to the bottom of the pile you understand.)
What comes out of this is that I find information that I did not know before and being the sharing girl that I am, I usually end up saving the article with the relevant information and after doing a little research at some point, I am able to share the information with everyone in the form of the blogs that I write (pretty much like this one), but also putting my own spin on things.
So exactly why am I telling you this (bet you thought I have forgotten the gist of the story hey?). It’s like this – all the sales, marketing, business tips, motivation, networking and even the HR tips, are usually sparked by something that I have read somewhere, or heard somewhere. Yes I have done some additional research (usually on the internet), but the bottom line is that I am the one who has learnt from it.
So read, enjoy and share – there’s enough abundance in the world for everyone to get back a huge amount more than what they put in.
We all sell, every single one of us, every single day. So read as much as you can, learn as much as you can and soon you will be selling as much as you can!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
How to Increase Your Sales Income – Part 10
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting June 2009.
Who would have thought it? Who would have thought that reading books and magazines (other than Heat) would lead me down this particular path?
Now I can understand the confusion about this topic (or lack thereof), so perhaps I should tell you what it is that I am talking about.
Well you see I read a lot – I mean a helleva lot! I usually can be found reading between four and eight books at a time and magazines, well I have a huge pile of magazines that I religiously read through on a daily basis (not that I ever get to the bottom of the pile you understand.)
What comes out of this is that I find information that I did not know before and being the sharing girl that I am, I usually end up saving the article with the relevant information and after doing a little research at some point, I am able to share the information with everyone in the form of the blogs that I write (pretty much like this one), but also putting my own spin on things.
So exactly why am I telling you this (bet you thought I have forgotten the gist of the story hey?). It’s like this – all the sales, marketing, business tips, motivation, networking and even the HR tips, are usually sparked by something that I have read somewhere, or heard somewhere. Yes I have done some additional research (usually on the internet), but the bottom line is that I am the one who has learnt from it.
So read, enjoy and share – there’s enough abundance in the world for everyone to get back a huge amount more than what they put in.
We all sell, every single one of us, every single day. So read as much as you can, learn as much as you can and soon you will be selling as much as you can!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 115
THE POWER OF NETWORKING
PART 115
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. June 2009
All of my business comes through networking, which means of course that most of my business comes through referrals.
How do I do this? Well for me this is very simple. Here are some of the steps that I take:
1. It doesn’t matter how busy I get, I still try to go to at least 2 networking meetings a month. You see – networking is about building relationships and building relationships takes time. When I am busy, going to meetings often puts me under real pressure, but if I didn’t I would have many periods where there would be no work and I would have to start networking and building relationships from the beginning again. This does not happen to me though as I am constantly networking.
2. Using my own database – I try, at least once a quarter, to go through my database and contact people who I have not ‘touched base’ with for a while. This keeps the ‘visual’ me in the forefront of their minds.
3. Business cards, for me are an opportunity, so as soon as I get a business card I do something with it. Usually this means that I send the card owner my business and personal profile. This is then followed up by a call to set up a ‘one on appointment’ to discuss possible synergies and to explore mutually beneficial business opportunities.
4. Going through my database on a regular basis also means that I am able to contact ‘dormant’ clients. You have no idea how this brings in more and more work, every time I do it.
5. Don’t forget your cell phone – now I have my entire database on my cell-phone, but that situation is the exception rather than the rule. So most of you folk will have telephone numbers on your cell phones that do not appear in your data base. Use them, do something with them. Make a call and set up a meeting.
Do some great business!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
PART 115
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC. June 2009
All of my business comes through networking, which means of course that most of my business comes through referrals.
How do I do this? Well for me this is very simple. Here are some of the steps that I take:
1. It doesn’t matter how busy I get, I still try to go to at least 2 networking meetings a month. You see – networking is about building relationships and building relationships takes time. When I am busy, going to meetings often puts me under real pressure, but if I didn’t I would have many periods where there would be no work and I would have to start networking and building relationships from the beginning again. This does not happen to me though as I am constantly networking.
2. Using my own database – I try, at least once a quarter, to go through my database and contact people who I have not ‘touched base’ with for a while. This keeps the ‘visual’ me in the forefront of their minds.
3. Business cards, for me are an opportunity, so as soon as I get a business card I do something with it. Usually this means that I send the card owner my business and personal profile. This is then followed up by a call to set up a ‘one on appointment’ to discuss possible synergies and to explore mutually beneficial business opportunities.
4. Going through my database on a regular basis also means that I am able to contact ‘dormant’ clients. You have no idea how this brings in more and more work, every time I do it.
5. Don’t forget your cell phone – now I have my entire database on my cell-phone, but that situation is the exception rather than the rule. So most of you folk will have telephone numbers on your cell phones that do not appear in your data base. Use them, do something with them. Make a call and set up a meeting.
Do some great business!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
BUSINESS TIPS - Being Your Own Boss - Part 10
BUSINESS TIPS
Being Your Own Boss – Part 10
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2009
One of the questions that I am asked on a regular basis is “How do I cost myself/product/service”?
To be quite honest, the first time I heard the question I was quite surprised until I understood the ‘why’ of the question that was asked.
You see there are several issues that need to be taken into account when working out your pricing in order to ensure that you are able to cover your overheads, productions, distribution, labour costs and marketing costs. Don’t forgot though, that you also want to make a profit too and this also needs to be factored into your calculations.
Your goals and how much you want to make also has a huge impact on the pricing strategy, so that is something else that you need to be really clear about.
As usual, research needs to be done. You need to check out consumer demands which will also affect the end pricing.
Also, have a look at your competition. What they are selling their product/services for. Don’t go too low because people may think that your product and/or service is inferior and don’t go too high or you will price yourself right out of the market. Rather make yourself competitive and make your service the deciding factor.
For many though, at first you will probably be guessing at what your costs will be – don’t let this deter you, but do try and be as realistic as possible.
As your business grows and stabilizes you will be able to ascertain what your exact or real costs are and will then be able to adjust your pricing accordingly.
Take care with your margins though as getting that particular formula wrong could have long lasting effects on your business.
Find the correct formula, document it and stick with it and you will be on the right road to success.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Being Your Own Boss – Part 10
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting – June 2009
One of the questions that I am asked on a regular basis is “How do I cost myself/product/service”?
To be quite honest, the first time I heard the question I was quite surprised until I understood the ‘why’ of the question that was asked.
You see there are several issues that need to be taken into account when working out your pricing in order to ensure that you are able to cover your overheads, productions, distribution, labour costs and marketing costs. Don’t forgot though, that you also want to make a profit too and this also needs to be factored into your calculations.
Your goals and how much you want to make also has a huge impact on the pricing strategy, so that is something else that you need to be really clear about.
As usual, research needs to be done. You need to check out consumer demands which will also affect the end pricing.
Also, have a look at your competition. What they are selling their product/services for. Don’t go too low because people may think that your product and/or service is inferior and don’t go too high or you will price yourself right out of the market. Rather make yourself competitive and make your service the deciding factor.
For many though, at first you will probably be guessing at what your costs will be – don’t let this deter you, but do try and be as realistic as possible.
As your business grows and stabilizes you will be able to ascertain what your exact or real costs are and will then be able to adjust your pricing accordingly.
Take care with your margins though as getting that particular formula wrong could have long lasting effects on your business.
Find the correct formula, document it and stick with it and you will be on the right road to success.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, June 01, 2009
MOTIVATION - Holding Onto Anger
MOTIVATION – Holding Onto Anger
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC - June 2009
Rene Sinnya says that “Holding onto anger is like grasping hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else – you are the one that gets burnt.”
Man oh Man – that one certainly got to me. You see, I have held onto my anger for years. The only person that got hurt was me. My days were spent in a red haze and my nights were spent with nightmares, where I heard bones break as I smashed the nameless, faceless, unwilling participants of my horrific dreams.
So how did that hurt me – simply hitting someone in my dreams did not hurt me (or them for that matter), in any way?
Wrong, wrong, wrong again! Apart from anything else, the level of rest that I got during my sleep was seriously limited!
Being in a rage ensured that I was always tense, muscles clenched and bunched in knots. The knots went all the way up my spine and up through my brain stem and this resulting in the most excruciating headaches and migraines and the bottom line was that my perception was always that the ‘glass was half empty.”
What about the objects of my anger – how were they affected. Well I don’t think that they even remembered that I existed! How cruel is that?
It too a while – it took a really long while, but I eventually learnt – to let go of the anger. “Just let it go” said Vanessa, my mentor. “How” was my standard reply.
Here’s the thing, if those that you are angry with don’t really give a rats bum, then what’s the point? If they don’t even realize that you exist – then really, what is the point?
It give me great pleasure these days, to watch the expressions on the faces of Johannesburg taxi drivers (or in fact any drivers) who look at me in astonishment as I smile and wave at them in direct response to their giving me ‘the finger’ in rush hour traffic!
It always brings a smile to my face.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC - June 2009
Rene Sinnya says that “Holding onto anger is like grasping hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else – you are the one that gets burnt.”
Man oh Man – that one certainly got to me. You see, I have held onto my anger for years. The only person that got hurt was me. My days were spent in a red haze and my nights were spent with nightmares, where I heard bones break as I smashed the nameless, faceless, unwilling participants of my horrific dreams.
So how did that hurt me – simply hitting someone in my dreams did not hurt me (or them for that matter), in any way?
Wrong, wrong, wrong again! Apart from anything else, the level of rest that I got during my sleep was seriously limited!
Being in a rage ensured that I was always tense, muscles clenched and bunched in knots. The knots went all the way up my spine and up through my brain stem and this resulting in the most excruciating headaches and migraines and the bottom line was that my perception was always that the ‘glass was half empty.”
What about the objects of my anger – how were they affected. Well I don’t think that they even remembered that I existed! How cruel is that?
It too a while – it took a really long while, but I eventually learnt – to let go of the anger. “Just let it go” said Vanessa, my mentor. “How” was my standard reply.
Here’s the thing, if those that you are angry with don’t really give a rats bum, then what’s the point? If they don’t even realize that you exist – then really, what is the point?
It give me great pleasure these days, to watch the expressions on the faces of Johannesburg taxi drivers (or in fact any drivers) who look at me in astonishment as I smile and wave at them in direct response to their giving me ‘the finger’ in rush hour traffic!
It always brings a smile to my face.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
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