Volume 3 | Issue 10 | 2014

Official Publication of OPSA(Association for Office Professionals of SA)

30 | Know your rightsFamily responsibility leave

24 | Hair care 101Hair today, gone tomorrow...

26 | Lice controlStop them in their tracks

28 | Delicious recipeBlueberry breakfast

Friends with benefitsWhy having friends at work is a good idea

We’ve got the spirit...8 ways to boost employee morale

Tighten that beltKeeping finances in order during tough times

Achieving with appsUse technology to keep your resolutions

Tips for successLearner leader

Back in the day people used breadcrumbs or crusts of bread to rub things out. Then, one day, the inventor of the eraser accidentally picked up a piece of rubber instead of bread, leading to his discovery that it could easily remove pencil markings.

for knowledge

Did you know? ON SALE NOW

Cool Mags.com

The latest issue of Braintainment magazine is available at all good newsagents and supermarkets near you. Or visit www.coolmags.com and purchase a copy or a subscription online. Also available on the App Store.

Braintainment (breIn’teIn’m�nt n) [1] Entertainment for the brain, things you’ve always wanted to know [2] The magazine that surprises [3] Delightful, fascinating [4] Quirky, off-the-wall [5] Intelligent answers, knowledge ANTONYMS boring, predictable, dull, lacklustre, normal, ignorance

magazine

“MAKE YOUR

BUSINESS FITTER,

FASTER AND STRONGER”

www.rexelsa.co.za

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issue 10 2014

contentsPUBLISHED BY Panorama Publications (Pty) Ltd.

Private Bag X4, Kyalami, 1684, South Africa. 92 Campolino Road, Kyalami.

Tel: 011 468 2090 Fax: 011 468 2091

OfficeLife is printed on partially recycled paper

OfficeLife is published 11 times per annum. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission of Panorama Publications (Pty) Ltd. Copyright © 1997-2014 Panorama Publications (Pty) Ltd. The views expressed in OfficeLife are not necessarily those of Panorama Publications and the acceptance and publication of editorial and advertising matter in OfficeLife does not imply any endorsement or warranty in respect of goods or services therein described, whether by OfficeLife or the publishers. OfficeLife will not be held responsible for the safe return of unsolicited editorial contributions. The Editor reserves the right to edit material submitted and in appropriate cases to translate into another language. OfficeLife reserves the right to reject any advertising or editorial material, which may not suit the standard of the publication, without reason given. OfficeLife is published by Panorama Publications.

PUBLISHER Urs Honegger

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gerard Peter

EDITOR Deanne Dudley

SENIOR SUB EDITOR Vanessa Koekemoer

SUB EDITORS Nicolette Els, Noleen Fourie

DTP STUDIO MANAGER Paul Kotze

LEAD DESIGNER Mauray Wolff

TRAFFIC & PRODUCTION

MANAGER Celeste Jacobs

GROUP ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

Urs Honegger

ADVERTISING SALES Amanda Potgieter

amanda@panorama.co.za

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@panorama.co.za

Tel: 011 468 2090 Fax: 011 468 2091

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ISSN 2221-6715

These rules apply to all competitions and giveaways in Officelife:1: Email entries are restricted to one per person or email address. You may enter via SMS as many times as you like. SMSes are charged at R1.50, including VAT. Free and bundled SMSes don’t apply. 2: Staff members of Panorama Publications, the sponsors of the prize, their advertising agencies as well as any immediate family may not enter. 3: Prizes are not transferable, and may not be converted into cash. 4: The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. 5: Panorama Publications staff cannot be held liable for any prizes that go missing, or are damaged in the post, or may cause harm to the recipients. 6: Please note that by entering our competitions you are opting into the Panorama Publications’ database. Should you receive any unwelcome communications, you will be given the opportunity to unsubscribe. 7: Panorama Publications makes every effort to contact prize winners on either the email address or mobile number used to enter the competition. Prizes that are not claimed within 90 days of the winner being published, will be forfeited. Prizes returned by the post office as unclaimed will be forfeited.

06 | Remembering your resolutions

Official Publication of OPSA (Association for Office Professionals of SA)

2 Bulletin board Short reads for the pressed-for-time

PLUS win with Durable!

4 Just a minute Why keeping accurate notes is vital

6 Remembering your resolutions Apps that can make life easier for you

8 Leadership levels How you can help lead your

company

12 Tough times Getting a handle on your finances

14 Friends with benefits Why having friends at work is a good idea

16 Reviews New books, movies and DVDs for

your leisure

18 Being a company cheerleader How you can champion change in

the workplace

21 Down time How good is your general

knowledge?

22 Be sun smart The low-down on melanoma and

how to care for your skin

24 Hair today, gone tomorrow… Keeping your hair in tip-top condition

26 Nagging nits Stopping lice in their tracks

28 Delicious recipe Blueberry breakfast

30 Know your rights Family responsibility leave

32 The back page Celebs weren’t always this glam…

12 | Tough times

22 | Be sun smart

OfficeLIFE | 1

The new work year is in full swing and many of us have already forgotten that we even had a holiday! But now is a great time to refocus and start turning those resolutions you made into habits. If you’re dwindling on your gym visits or sneaking in chocolates (well, it was just Valentine’s Day!) then you may need some help to get back on track. Read up on some handy apps that can help you on your journey on page six. We all want to look nice at work, don’t we? Well, your hair is your crowning glory, so it’s worth taking note of the advice from a top stylist on page 24. While you’re at it, read about the benefits of eating blueberries (and get a yummy weekday breakfast idea) on page 28 and learn why it’s so important to take care of your skin on page 22.There is nothing better than working in a pleasant environment. Having an office buddy goes a long way towards improving your workday – after all, you spend the majority of your waking hours at the office, so you really should try to enjoy it. Read more about why office friendships have benefits on page 14. And, if you’re keen to spread happiness in the office, then read up on increasing company morale on page 18. There is no one better positioned to do this than you because, as we all know, you actually run the show!I hope you enjoy this issue of OfficeLife. As always, I am very open to your comments and suggestions, so please feel free to send me an email on officelife@panorama.co.za. All the best

boardBulletin

It’s CANSA Shavathon time!You see them every year

– people at shopping malls getting their heads shaved or

sprayed. Maybe you’ve even had it done yourself… But did

you know that you can host your very own Shavathon at your office? Visit www.shavathon.org.za to find out how. You’ll need to register by 19 February, so don’t delay – corporate Shavathons will be held across the country on 27 and 28 February, and in malls on 1 March 2014.

News to know

Things to do this monthGauteng Homemakers Expo 2014Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the expo is back with the theme ‘bold, bright and individual’. It features 600 exhibitor stands and a Builders DIY Theatre.Date: 27 February to 2 March 2014Venue: Coca-Cola Dome, JohannesburgInfo: www.homemakersonline.co.za

Cape Town CarnivalThis annual event celebrates South Africa’s rich culture through art, music and dance. The theme for 2014 is ‘imagine’ and the carnival kicks off at 7pm with giant floats, live musicians and over 2,000 performers. The after-party features the likes of DJ Fresh and Mi Casa.Date: 15 March 2014Venue: Green Point, Cape TownInfo: www.capetowncarnival.com

FNB Mpumalanga Wine Show 2014The expo is presented by wine authority Michael Fridjhon and allows you to sample and stock up on your favourite wines. Tickets are available at Computicket and Checkers Money Market counters.Date: 14 to 15 March 2014Venue: Ingwenyama Conference and Sports Resort, White River, NelspruitInfo: www.mpumalangawineshow.co.za

2 | OfficeLIFE

The Visifix Flip Business Card Holder is perfect for networkers who always have tons of business cards that need organising. The rotary index helps you to store them in an easy-to-view manner, and with 200 double-sided business card pockets, it can hold up to 400 cards at a time. The holder is made from high quality plastic and the pockets are easy to add and remove, allowing you to change their positions according to your method of sorting. There are three up for grabs, worth R1,000 each.

How to enter:Send an email with the word Durable in the subject line to officelife@panorama.co.za or SMS the word Durable to 45782. R1.50 per SMS. Please include your name, physical address and a daytime contact number with your entry. Entries close 31 March 2014.

to giveaway3

The Durable range of products are distributed by Silveray Stationery Company and are available from leading stationers nationally and all Office Active outlets – www.officeactive.co.za. For more information visit: www.silveray.co.za or follow us on www.facebook.com/silveray.statmark.

10 commandments for quality sleep 1. Have a fixed bedtime and waking-

up time.2. Keep your daytime naps to 45

minutes or less.3. Avoid excessive alcohol and

smoking at least four hours before bedtime.

4. Avoid caffeine, some teas and cold drinks six hours before bedtime.

5. Avoid heavy, spicy and sugary foods four hours before bedtime.

6. Exercise regularly.7. Use a pressure-relieving, quality

mattress and pillow.8. Keep the room well ventilated and

at a comfortable temperature.9. Block out all distracting noise and

eliminate as much light as possible.10. “Sleep is God. Go worship.” – Jim

Butcher, writer [Source: TEMPUR]

OfficeLIFE | 3

Just a minuteThere are good reasons for accurate minutes

4 things... ...minutes of a meeting should reflect1. Time, date, venue 2. Attendees and apologies for absence 3. Clarifications of the previous meeting’s minutes4. Outcome of the meeting, motions raised, decisions made, open issues, plus actions required

Training MANUAL

4 | OfficeLIFE

Just a minute Tool time Even if you’ve decided to use a dictaphone to record the meeting and transcribe it later, take a pen and paper with you – technology isn’t as reliable as we’d like it to be. Clarify the agenda Note-taking will be a lot easier if you know what the purpose of the meeting is. Before the meeting begins, ask the presiding chairperson or facilitator what the agenda is, and what the objectives are. Sit tight In the business meeting, different members may preside to give their reports, and others may share their views. To make it easier for you to identify who said what, prepare a seat plan that you can periodically refer to while the meeting is taking place.Note it At the beginning of the meeting, the previous meeting minutes may be discussed to correct mistakes, finalise arguments and fine-tune decisions. Take down this information because it also needs to be included in your report. Write down all the key points that were discussed. Take note of motions made, who made them, who agreed and who disagreed. Write down the decisions made, the course of action, and open issues that will be discussed in the next meeting.

Keep in mind• Minutes are for future and outside readers as much as they are for the people present in the meeting. Make sure whatever you write down will be clear to people coming into the process at a later time.• Typing meeting minutes on a laptop while the meeting is in progress can make the process quicker and easier. • Make a note of issues that were tabled until future meetings; this will serve as an important reminder to the board of things that still need to be done. • Transcribe or review minutes as soon as possible after the meeting, while your memory of what happened is still fresh.• Before you submit the meeting minutes, proofread for typos and omissions. • Ask the chairperson or facilitator to proofread the minutes before distributing them to the members.

i Text: Kate KennedyPhotography: Goodluz

There are good reasons for accurate minutes

called into question, they cannot claim ignorance if there is documented proof that they were in a meeting where any particular information was relayed.

Here we goFormat it Some companies have a standard format for meeting minutes. Ask your immediate superior if there is a standard format, or better yet, ask for a copy of previous minutes so you can study it right before the business meeting.

If you’re the one who has to minute meetings, you may have wondered why on earth people can’t just make their own notes and save you the trouble. But there are reasons why

minutes need to be accurately taken down and typed up.Minutes make any resolution of a meeting official – without recorded evidence, decisions are only as a good as a handshake, which won’t hold up in a legal setting. Where employees’ actions are being

OfficeLIFE | 5

Training MANUAL

6 | OfficeLIFE

Many of us made New Year’s resolutions and, for the month of January, we were on track to keep them. But, as February rolled in, we

lost steam… Well, if you have these apps, you have no excuse. So get downloading!

Get fit!Active Fitness: Getting fit is among the top resolutions each year, but sticking to a training regime can be difficult. Active Fitness enables users to track activity, follow progress on maps and set out a comprehensive training plan. Adidas miCoach: miCoach delivers a personalised fitness experience through features exclusive to Nokia Lumia smartphones. You can choose training plans, create and track your workout progress, and get coaching feedback during workouts. Even cooler, the app combines a heart rate monitor and in-app playlists from Nokia Music to create a customised personal training environment. Gym PocketGuide: Lose fat, build muscle or find new exercises with Gym PocketGuide! This app will help you accomplish goals with 100+ exercises and stretches, videos and step-by-step guides. Quit smokingStop Smoking: Giving up smoking can be one of the most difficult things you’ll

ever do, but it can also be a lifesaver. Stop Smoking is a simple, effective and motivational app that keeps tabs of when your last cigarette was, along with informing you of data each day about why you should continue to avoid smoking. Expand your mindSkyMap Free: SkyMap is an amazing planetarium for your Windows Phone. It enables you to point your phone at the sky and see what stars, constellations, planets or deep space objects are out there in real time. Spanish English Dictionary+: Learning a new language is both rewarding and useful. This app includes an extensive offline translation dictionary, and the app also provides usage examples and text-to-speech pronunciation. Start saving moneyMint: The Mint app for Windows Phone delivers live, up-to-date information about your financial accounts, bill reminders and personalised money advice right to your phone. You can get a consolidated view of your money for convenient financial decisions in the app and real-time updates via Live Tiles. Money Wallet: Looking to spend less money this year? Money Wallet lets you keep track of all your different accounts and spending, helps you monitor credit card use, bank accounts and cash so you stick to your budget.

Lose weightDiet Tracker: Losing weight is another popular New Year’s resolution and you can make the job a lot easier with Diet Tracker. This app lets you monitor your weight, monitor trends and track your progress. Fat Burning Foods: Armed with the knowledge inside the Fat Burning Foods app, you can limit fattening foods and swap them with delicious foods that can boost your metabolism and accelerate fat loss. Diet Tracker Food Scanner: This app can help you keep track of calorie intake, and find out nutritional facts by scanning barcodes via your Lumia’s camera. Take your dream holidayTrip Advisor: Going on holiday and seeing more of the world is at the top of the list for many people. The Trip Advisor app lets you check out reviews of different locations and get recommendations from fellow travellers to find hotels, places to visit and things to see that match your tastes.

Blink: With Blink, you can capture a series of images before you even press the button. You won’t miss capturing a single moment of your dream trip – even the things you did actually just miss!

Voice Translator: This online (cloud) translator with voice recognition and TTS capabilities will help you communicate with locals and find your way around new and exciting locales around the world in 2014!

Go greenerHERE Transit: Giving up your car for non-essential journeys can be a brilliant way of saving money and the environment. HERE Transit offers schedules and direction details for buses, trains and subways, along with offering departure, route and arrival times, with information for more than 740 cities around the world.

iText: SuppliedPhotography: Shutterstock

Achieving with appsPhone apps can help you stay on track with your resolutions

OfficeLIFE | 7

Highlighted by a Stanford University professor 1. Talk more than others, but not all the time.2. Interrupt occasionally and don’t be interrupted.3. Cross your arms when you talk.4. Use positive self-talk.5. Strategically use occasional outbursts of anger.6. If you are unsure of whether to sit or stand… stand. If you sit, sit at the head of the table.7. Surrender some power or status, but make sure it is well known that you did so freely.

7 tricks to enhance the perception of leadership and control

Training MANUAL

8 | OfficeLIFE

Leadership levelsYour leadership role may be bigger than you think

It is often said that efficient top management is essential for the success of any business, while office managers often believe that their responsibility is limited to ensuring

the smooth operations of an office, department or division. However, an office manager has a much larger role to play in driving success. An office manager, whether they want the responsibility or not, is in a leadership position and is a leader.

The office manager’s roleFor a business unit to reach its

objectives, the office manager must ensure that the three dimensions of performance – Direction, Interaction and Renewal – are mastered. These dimensions are interdependent and for leadership to make significant progress, all three dimensions must move forward simultaneously. Enhanced performance in one dimension reinforces the improvement in others and also provides for genuine personal development that builds success.

Leadership affects all three dimensions, because leadership style echoes

OfficeLIFE | 9

Three dimensions of performance

Direction: Develop a shared understandingof the office’s goal, values and the direction

of the office.

Interaction: Create a workingenvironment which encourages

collaboration and learn tomove beyond their individual

expertise, learn to interact withother members, as wel as

being open to scrutiny.

Renewal: Managementteam must be able to

renew itself byexpanding itscapabilities in

responseto change.

• Encouragecriticalthought through effective dialogue• Capitaliseondiverseviewpoints

• Alignpriorities• Focusstrategicallyonteamgoals and direction, developing talent anddrivinggrowthinitiatives

• Encouragepersonaldevelopmentandrisktaking• Providementorshipandcoaching• Avoidinsularity;utiliseinsightandknowledge from outside the company

Improved perform

ance in the three dimensions

result in, for example:

throughout a business unit. It could either improve or undermine the business unit’s culture and performance. People look up to others in leadership positions such as the office manager. How a leader conducts him/herself sets the tone for the business unit. Leadership is scrutinised and evaluated by:1. The manner in which they conduct their day-to-day tasks and activities.2. The manner in which they treat people.3. Their interactions in meetings.4. Their involvement in the idea generation process.

Acting the partIt is important that an office manager shows that they are in control, expressing confidence in all four of these situations even if they do not feel it. This is reflected in decision-making. Don’t dither in making decisions. People are more inclined to respect someone who can admit they do not know the best course of action and are willing to get advice. Alternatively, someone can make a decision, but acknowledge later that there is a better course of action that should be followed. In articulating a decision or any instructions, a leader must make sure decisions and instructions are articulated in a clear, concise, executable manner. A good leader can articulate decisions and instructions in less than 20 words. Half a page is all that is necessary to write a complex email.Leaders are evaluated based on their performance, but performance in most cases is driven by perceptions rather than actual facts. Give credit to those who do the work, but take responsibility for the team (if something goes wrong) and protect the team members. A leader’s responsibility lies in steering the team in the right direction, motivating the team members and also looking after their best interests.

1. Accept that a failure has occurred or an error was made under his/her leadership.2. Apologise to the affected parties.3. Take control of the matter by taking swift action.4. Show that the team has learnt something from the failure.5. Plan to realign the team and to ensure that the failure does not reoccur.

After a failure, the leader should:

Motivating a business unit is partially driven by tangible rewards, however, giving someone acknowledgement has a longer lasting impact – small gestures such as thanks and acknowledgement.If something goes wrong, the manner in which a leader takes responsibility for failure can also show great leadership.

Good leadership at the head of the office is not sufficient to ensure that an office improves on its past performance or innovates. For this to happen, a good advisory committee should be formed. The committee should be responsible for identifying areas where operations of an office can be improved. Selecting the right advisory committee and the right mix of members is very important. It is arguably just as important as setting priorities and making specific evaluation criteria. The members of the advisory committee should be representative of all members in the office. A leader is only as strong as his/her team. Good leadership will yield results, not only for the management team but also for the staff they lead.

iText: Riaan Rudman (CA (SA), BBusSc (Hons), PGDA, MBusSc (Finance), MAcc (Computer Auditing) (cum laude)) is a senior lecturer in Auditing at Stellenbosch University in the Department of Accounting | Photography: Shutterstock

10 | OfficeLIFE

OfficeLIFE | 11

Training MANUAL

12 | OfficeLIFE

Most of us start the New Year with, at least, hopes for a better year, some with a list of New Year’s resolutions, and a smart few with a

practical, step-by-step plan for ensuring a better year. These hopes, resolutions and plans inevitably include financial goals, such as paying off debt, saving more or saving up for a dream. “The South African Reserve Bank’s surprise interest rate hike of 0.5% will certainly put a damper on many South Africans’ hopes, resolutions and plans for 2014,” comments Dr Koos du Toit, CEO of P3 Investment Group. “It will increase home loan repayments, vehicle finance instalments and the interest – and therefore the monthly repayments – on all short-term debts, such as credit cards, personal loans and retail accounts. More concerningly, some economists have warned that a rate hike could tip the economy into a recession.”So what can consumers do to counter the impact of the rate hike on their plans for 2014? The P3 Investment Group offers some tips for revising your financial resolutions for 2014.

1Draw up a budgetDraw up a monthly budget, or revise

your budget, to factor in the impact of the interest rate hike. Ruthlessly cull

unnecessary expenses to ensure that you can afford the necessities, such as bond repayments, vehicle finance instalments and debt repayments, given the higher interest rate. If you cannot afford all your repayments, take immediate action! Speak to your credit providers to make a repayment plan or contact a debt counsellor to assist you.

2 Save If you have culled your expenses

to the minimum, save up any money you have left after covering the essential expenses, even if it is only R200 a month, to build up a reserve fund for unexpected emergencies, whether a medical emergency or a vehicle or major appliance breakdown.

3 Annihilate debt Avoid making new debt at all costs.

Do not open new credit facilities and do not buy anything on your existing credit facilities. The higher the interest rate, the more it costs you to borrow money and the higher the monthly repayments.The higher interest rate means that your monthly debt repayments will increase. Make it an absolute priority to pay off your existing debt as fast as possible, starting with the highest interest rate debt first. Even a payment of just R100 a month extra on an account will help you pay it

off much faster. Once your debt has been settled, use the monthly repayment you were paying on it to pay into the next debt as an extra payment each month. In this way, you can eradicate debt – and the crippling interest on it – from your life, much quicker than you imagine.

4 Pay any extra money into your home loan

Once you have paid off your short-term, high-interest rate debts, pay extra money into your home loan each month, not only to build up a buffer against future interest rate increases, but also to ensure you save thousands of rands on interest and reduce the number of years it will take to repay the loan.

5 Plan your financial futureOnce you have your current financial

situation under firm and tight control, take the time and make the effort to plan your financial future. Decide what you want to achieve financially and set goals with timelines, for example saving up for the kids’ education within 10 years or retiring at age 65 with a defined monthly income. Then start looking for smart ways to reach your financial goals.

tips for the financially savvy5

The latest rate hike will hit us hard, so it’s time to spend wisely

i Text: Supplied Photography: Shutterstock

OfficeLIFE | 13

Training MANUAL

Friends with

benefitsForming close bonds with your colleagues

can be good for your career

14 | OfficeLIFE

We spend the majority of our waking hours at the office. If you think that it’s not the right place to make friends, then

you may want to think again. Friendship and camaraderie among co-workers can mean the difference between a positive and negative work experience.

If you’re happy and you know it…Having a friend at work goes a long way to improving your working environment. If you spend your days with unfriendly people, you’d have no one to talk to, no one to share your achievements and failures with, and no one to lift you up when you’re feeling low. In short, friends help you enjoy work more. They soften the blow of disappointments and double your joy at successes. It gives more meaning to your work experience.

I’ll stand by youFriends also have your back, which lowers your stress levels a little. Hostile people make you feel anxious and stressed – as though they are waiting for you to mess up. But if you have a friend, you feel supported, so you spend less time worrying about the naysayers and backstabbers.

Who’s that girl?Managers like people who get along with others. So, being friendly has its benefits for the way you are perceived too. No one likes a complainer who sits at their desk and feeds on negativity. Being good at networking is great for your professional image. And if management notices that, they may just remember you when promotions come along.

Honey, I’m home!Office friends don’t let office friends stay too late at work or work through all their lunch breaks. They help to promote a healthy work-life balance because they care for your wellbeing. They know

you have a husband and kids and they actually want you to get home to them.

Be yourself, there’s no one betterIf you have supportive and friendly colleagues you’ll be more inclined to be yourself, and that can have positive ramifications on your work too. You’ll be more creative because you don’t fear being ridiculed for your ideas. You’ll also be more likely to volunteer yourself for projects and step outside of your comfort zone if you feel others accept you and support you.

i Text: Deanne Dudley Photography: Shutterstock

Even if you trust your colleagues completely, there are still certain pitfalls you should avoid:• Neversharesensitiveinformationthatcould get you into hot water – things like your salary or knowing who is up for retrenchment. Office professionals are privy to information that they must be trusted with. Don’t break that trust or you’ll regret it.• Don’tallowyourfriendshipstobecome unprofessional. Too much chit-chat can make you lose focus, and giggling can annoy others. Keep that for outside the office.• Don’tmakeyourfriendshipstooexclusive. It isn’t high school – don’t become a clique and exclude others. It makes people feel uncomfortable and threatened. You’re friends, but you can have other friends too.• Don’tblabtoomuch.Youmaywantto share things about your personal life with your work friends, and you can do so, but be wary of divulging too much. If your friendship turns sour, you don’t want them to expose anything that may affect your career. • Don’ttrustblindly.Eventhoughwelike to think the best of people, some are snakes. If someone encourages you to say or do things that make you feel uncomfortable, like bad-mouthing your boss or saying anything incriminating, then steer clear.

Warning! 5 don’ts of work friendships

OfficeLIFE | 15

Lite SIDE

DVD – PrisonersHow far would you go to protect your family? Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is facing every parent’s worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter Anna is missing, together with her young friend Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The best lead is a dilapidated RV that had earlier been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrests its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces his release.© 2013 Alcon Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved.

Book – Tap Dancing to Work By Carol J. Loomis When Fortune writer Carol Loomis first mentioned a little-known Omaha hedge fund manager in a 1966 article, she didn’t dream that Warren Buffett would become the world’s greatest investor. Nor did she imagine that she and Buffett would become close friends. Readers will gain fresh insights into Buffett’s investment strategies and thinking on management, philanthropy, and even parenting.

Movie – Single Moms ClubAt cinemas 21 MarchBrought together by an incident at their children’s school, a group of single mothers from different walks of life bond, and create a support group that helps them find comedy in the obstacles of life, as well as the inner strength to overcome their personal challenges.© 2014 Lionsgate

Reviews

16 | OfficeLIFE

Kids’ books –

Roald Dahl classics

By Chrisann Brennan

Look out for some of your

favourite Roald Dahl books like

Fantastic Mr Fox, The Giraffe and the

Pelly and Me and TheTwits,

which are being re-released this

month. They make for great

bedtime stories!

Kids’ movie – Mr Peabody and ShermanAt cinemas 20 MarchMr Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sherman, use their time machine – the WABAC – to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history. Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr Peabody must come to their rescue. Together, the time-travelling trio will make their mark on history.© 2013 TCFFC. All rights reserved.

WINWe have a copy of The

Fantastic Mr Fox up for

grabs. To enter send an

email with the word ‘Fox’ in

the subject line to officelife@

panorama.co.za. Please

include your name, daytime

contact number and physical

address for couriering

purposes. Competition closes

31 March 2014.

OfficeLIFE | 17

Training MANUAL

18 | OfficeLIFE

tips to motivate staff8

Boosting employee morale goes a long way towards making your office life more fulfilling

You may think that it’s the managers’ job to institute morale-boosting programmes at work but the truth is, office

professionals such as yourself are more in tune with what is happening, and how people are feeling. Working with happier people will in turn make your working life more pleasant, so make some suggestions, and maybe you can achieve this goal.

1Acknowledge people’s efforts and achievements

Tell them they are doing a wonderful job and that their work is appreciated. And this doesn’t have to come only from management. If you see someone doing something great, give them that pat on the back.

2 Perks can go a long wayAnd it doesn’t necessarily have to

be monetary – in fact, research has shown that thoughtful gifts work better. A dinner for two or tickets to see a show if you know the employee loves a certain performer can really go a long way to making someone feel special.

3 Provide the correct tools for the job

Nothing is more frustrating to an employee than having to work around hurdles that could be removed. Make sure you have the right software, stationery and other means to maximise efficiency. Removing bureaucracy from certain processes can also help to simplify and streamline processes.

4 Make sure management is relatable

Encourage your manager to walk around and chat to people to show that you’re all working together for a common purpose. Managers should learn all employees’ names and make a point of asking people how they are doing and how they are getting along on projects, for example. It makes them feel more appreciated.

5 Show employees the results of their hard work

No matter what industry you’re in, the work employees do always yields results, so make sure they know what they are. It may just motivate them to work even harder.

OfficeLIFE | 19

6 Empower employees by giving them a say

Employees can be the company’s greatest critics, so they know and (if probed without recrimination) will likely share what the organisation’s shortcomings are. Be sure to listen to their gripes, but also encourage them to think of ways forward, to fix the problems they see. Tell them you value their input and they will feel like their opinions matter.

7 Make it personalEmployees are people, with real

lives outside the office. Make sure you keep a birthday list and that you’re aware of any major events happening in people’s lives – marriages, births and the like. A note of congratulations can go

a long way. Instituting a ‘brag board’ can allow employees

to share their good news – photos of their new puppy or letters from clients acknowledging their work.

8 Make work more enjoyableIf you have a draconian workplace

where everyone clocks in at a certain time, does their job then leaves, there is no way they will enjoy it. Within reason, be flexible. If someone can attend their child’s award ceremony at school, they will appreciate the gesture. Working from home one day a week could make a big difference to the person who spends two hours a day in traffic. You can be your manager’s eyes and ears for these things, and alert them as to how they can make work better for everyone, even if it’s in a small way.

i Text: Deanne Dudley Photography: Shutterstock

No one wants to work in a drab, boring office, so liven things up a little… You may think that it takes up valuable work time, but the return you will get is much larger than just the hours. • Organiseacompanypicnic.Thisdoesn’t have to cost the company money – ask everyone to bring a little something, and then share with each other outside in the sun. Get some music going for a more festive vibe.• Institute‘justbecause’dayswhereyou decorate the office according to a theme or have chair races in the corridor. Just be silly for an hour or two.• HoldagameofCompanyPictionaryand divide employees into teams, using a whiteboard to draw the pictures nice and big. • Organiseforacompanylunchoncea month, where each department must cook a small meal for the whole company. Set a budget and have employees work with it. You’ll be amazed how well some people can cook – and the lengths some will go to,

to outdo the last lunch!• Havespotprizeswhichyougiveout once a week. It can be something small, but doing a random draw is fun. Or stick a sticker under someone’s chair then send out an email saying whoever has the sticker wins a prize. A treasure hunt, with emailed clues, is also a nice way to make tea time fun. • Makeyourworkspacemorelikehome. Plant a herb garden and those with green fingers can tend to it, then let people know that there is rosemary for whoever wants to take some home, for example. It may not always be practical, but an office pet is also a good morale booster (obviously make sure someone takes proper care of him though). • Onanemployee’sbirthday,havethem wear a party hat and tie some balloons to their desk. • Ifyouhavethespace,bringinaping-pong, foosball or snooker table and organise tournaments on a Friday afternoon.

Make office life fun!

20 | OfficeLIFE

Flex your brain Can you answer these general knowledge questions from Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It?

Trivial Pursuit answers:1 | The Wonder Years 2 | Sparta 3 | Water. The water molecule contains, of course, two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. 4 | Twilight 5 | The Crocodile Hunter 6 | Louis Vuitton 7 | Penny-farthing. Penny and farthing coins resemble the bicycle’s wheels. 8 | Thailand. It is set on an unspoilt island close to Ko Samui. 9 | Pandora 10 | Iran

1 | What sitcom was narrated by a grown-up Kevin Arnold?

2 | The soldiers of what ancient Greek city felt so protected by the nearby mountains that they didn’t build additional protection from invaders?

3 | Which commonly known occurring substance is also known by the name dihydrogen monoxide?

4 | What wildly popular novel, published in 2005, features a picture of two hands holding an apple on its cover?

5 | TV personality and wildlife expert Steve Irwin was better known by what nickname?

6 | Japanese artist Takashi Murakami designs handbag canvas for which French design house?

7 | What bicycle was named after British currency?

8 | In which country was The Beach in the Leonardo Di Caprio movie of the same name set?

9 | What planet is the setting for Avatar?

10 | Blogs, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter were all seen as central sources of information during what country’s 2009 election protests?5

Lite SIDE

OfficeLIFE | 21

Home TIME

Make the right start –

be sun smart

Of all the resolutions we should make for 2014, looking

after our skin is one of the most important ones

22 | OfficeLIFE

CANSA CEO Sue Janse van Rensburg says: “Sunlight keeps us warm, it creates food and shelter for us via plant life and gives us light.

However, as greenhouse gases trap more heat and the ozone layer allows more dangerous ultraviolet (UV) light through, the sun’s rays can be distinctly dangerous. UV rays cause skin cancer in humans and animals. So we need to be aware of the risk factors for skin cancer and be proactive to help detect skin cancers early.”

Zoning in on malignant melanomaMalignant melanoma (sometimes referred to only as melanoma) is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and currently accounts for approximately 1% of all cancer deaths. South Africa has one of the highest incidences, if

not the highest, of malignant melanoma in the world as far as Caucasians are concerned. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease.

The ABCDE of malignant melanomaMoles, brown spots and growths on the skin are usually harmless, although anyone who has more than 100 moles or atypical moles is at greater risk for melanoma.“That’s why it’s so important to get to know your skin very well and to recognise any changes in the moles on your body. Ask a loved one or friend to examine your back and the top of your head. Visit our website to find out how you can look for the ABCDE signs of melanoma and if you see one or more, make an appointment

with a dermatologist or doctor immediately,” adds Janse van Rensburg. The ABCDE signs are as follows:A-symmetry – a mark with one half unlike the other (not symmetrical). Common moles are round and symmetrical.Border irregularities – scalloped/poorly defined edges. Common moles are smooth and have even borders.Colour changes – tan, black, brown, red, white and blue. Common moles are usually a single shade of brown or black.Diameter – mainly larger than 6mm.Evolve – grows bigger and becomes more prominent.

Other warning signsCANSA also advises of more warning signs for malignant melanoma – a sore that doesn’t heal; new growth; spread of pigment (colour) from the border of a spot to surrounding skin; redness or a new swelling beyond the border; change in sensation – itchiness, tenderness, or pain; and change in the surface of a mole – scaling, oozing, bleeding or the appearance of a bump or nodule.

• Stayoutofthesunbetween10amand3pm – stay in the shade or under an umbrella as much as possible.

• Alwaysapplysunscreen20minutesbefore you go outside and reapply at least every two to three hours.

• It’simportanttoknowthesunprotection factor (SPF) needed for your skin type. Use sunscreen with an SPF of between 20 and 50; preferably SPF 30-50 for fair to very fair skin.

• TheCANSA’sSealofRecognitionlogo appears on approved sunscreen products and is a guarantee that the manufacturers of these UV protective products have complied with the strict set of criteria developed by CANSA.

• LocallypackagedCANSA-approvedsunscreens bear the new

SunSmart Choice Seal, while sunscreens packaged internationally may exhibit the SunSmart Choice Seal on their point of sale and/or other promotional material only.

• Lookoutforthemanufactureorexpirydate as products usually expire two years after being manufactured – however, once opened, no product should be used for longer than a year.

• Wearprotectiveclothingandthicklywoven fabric hats with wide brims. Avoid caps that leave the neck and ears exposed.

• WearsunglasseswithaUVprotectionrating of UV400.

• Avoidsunbedsandsunlamps.• Domonthlymolechecksandgofor

regular screenings.

Reducing the risk for all skin cancer types

Visit www.cansa.org.za, contact CANSA toll free on 0800 22 66 22 or email info@cansa.org.za. Follow CANSA on Twitter: @CANSA and join CANSA on Facebook: CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa.

For more info

See CANSA’s fact sheet on malignant melanoma at www.cansa.org.za/files/2013/10/Fact-Sheet-Malignant-Melanoma-2013.pdf. View CANSA’s infographic on SunSmart and ABCDE at www.cansa.org.za/files/2013/12/SunSmart-Infographic-2014-ENG.pdf.

Read more

iText: SuppliedPhotography: Shutterstock

OfficeLIFE | 23

Home TIME

For a one-on-one hair consultation with Brendan Palmer, to get a full menu of what Langaro Lifestyle Centre has to offer or to make a booking please visit www.langaro.com.

24 | OfficeLIFE

Brendan Palmer, hairstylist and consultant at Langaro Lifestyle Centre, shares a few secrets on how to best take care of your hair to make you look

and feel great.

Swimming and the sun have damaged my hair this summer – how can I repair the damage?Repairing any damage to hair is always specific to the individual. The best way of ensuring beautiful, healthy hair is to have a full consultation with a knowledgeable hairstylist. Another great start is by using a dynamic shampoo and conditioner. The correct homecare and in-salon treatments will gradually improve any hair condition.

What are generic hair mistakes that age hair the most?The top three causes of hair damage that I have found in my career: 1. Home colouring is one of the worst contributors to damaged hair. Using any chemicals on hair should be done by a professional. 2. Using heat styling tools without the proper heat protection product will result in damage. 3. Using incorrect combs or brushes will result in mechanical damage to the hair.

What advice would you give to clients experiencing ageing or greying hair?The condition of hair, like skin, is directly related to the health of the individual. As we age, our body’s ability to absorb nutrients from our diet diminishes, therefore the nutrients to our hair and skin become less. A healthy diet and exercise will help maintain healthy hair, and using the correct products on the hair will also negate the effects of external aggressions. I always recommend a healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise and hair supplements.

What is the best way to ensure shiny, healthy, volumised hair throughout all of the seasons?Regular visits to your hairstylist are the best way to ensure great hair all year round. As seasons change, your hair will need different treatment. In terms of homecare, using the correct shampoo for your hair and scalp is essential. Handling wet hair should always be done carefully so as not to cause any damage, including using wide-tooth and anti-static combs. Using good heat styling tools like a good hairdryer and an iron with heat adjustment settings as well as natural fibre brushes is a good way to minimise mechanical damage. Heat protection is an absolute must in terms of protecting i Text: Supplied

Photography: Shutterstock

Haircare helpIf you want to look polished at work, you need to keep

your crowning glory in check

the hair; your hairdresser will be able to recommend the correct product for your hair type. I always try to use colours with the least impact on condition, the lowest volume developers and colours without ammonia. Having a treatment in the salon when colouring your hair is one of the best ways to keep hair healthy.

What is the next best hairstyle/trend that I must be looking out for in 2014?There are a few trends to look out for in 2014.The first is the straight and smooth, polished and shiny, just-trimmed look (being quite popular with our regular salon visitors), as well as some edgy bobs and fringes. The second is the ‘undone’ look: waves and curls for mostly medium to long lengths, or ‘next day hair’ as I like to call it. Thirdly, the romantic look: soft texture, loose up-dos, natural movement, messy plaits and a bit of ‘70s retro. Lastly, the sporty look: pony tails and half buns, sleeked back with a bit of texture in the loose hair. We can also expect to see some hair accessories making a comeback this year. I like to personalise hairstyles for the individual, using the trends as inspiration.

OfficeLIFE | 25

As thousands of children recently headed back to school, the threat of lice infestation looms large.And, research shows that

almost half of South African children are expected to contract lice at some stage in their lives.Head lice are small, wingless parasites that feed on tiny amounts of blood, causing itching, skin irritation and sometimes infection. Head lice infestation is most frequent in children and teenagers and is spread through direct head-to-head contact. The following is a basic protocol, should your child contract head lice:• Checkyourchild’shaircarefullytodetermine if there are lice or nits.• Ondiscoveringlice,washyourchild’shair with a non-toxic lice shampoo, like Picksan Lice Stop.• Usealicecombtoextracttheremaininglice and nits.• Afteradministeringtheshampoo,usea preventative spray to further deter any remaining lice and to protect your child’s hair from further infestation.• Ifpossible,keepyourchildoutofschool, but all parents need to inform their children’s schools to help prevent further

infestation.• Afteraweek,repeatstepsonetofour to kill remaining lice from possible nits which were not removed the first time. Nits have an incubation period of seven to 10 days.• Trytoavoidcontactbetweenyourchild and playmates for at least 10 days to avoid spreading the lice.• Althoughtherearenocomprehensive statistics available, a study by PubMed Central, a US-based medical archive, shows infestations in Asia in up to 59% of children surveyed with the rate in Europe around 22.4% and in Africa at 58%.Anti-lice shampoos are the most effective treatment for head lice but many have serious side effects due to poisonous ingredients, particularly the chemical lindane. So choose a safe optionby reading the label.

What a louse-y problemDo you know how to recognise and treat head lice?

WorkingMOM

i Text: Supplied by Picksan Photography: Shutterstock

26 | OfficeLIFE

What a louse-y problem

OfficeLIFE | 27

Home TIME

28 | OfficeLIFE

Blueberry breakfast

Prepare this delicious loaf to serve before work and school

INGREDIENTS• 1¼cupsall-purposeflour• 1teaspoonbakingpowder• ¼teaspoonsalt• ½cupunsaltedbutter,room temperature• 2/3 cup granulated sugar• 125gPhiladelphiacreamcheese, room temperature• 2largeeggs• 1tablespoonvanillaextract• 2tablespoonslimezest• 1cupfreshblueberries

PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE ICING:• 125gcreamcheese,room temperature• 4tablespoonsunsaltedbutter,room temperature• 1½cupscastorsugar• 1teaspoonvanillaextract

METHOD1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Butter a 9x5 loaf pan and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper – butter the parchment as well and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.2. In a blender, beat together the

cream cheese, butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about two minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, thoroughly mixing each time. Add vanilla extract and lime zest, mixing until combined.3. Pour flour mixture over the batter mixture and using a large rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour until it is completely mixed in and there are no pockets of dry flour. Lastly, gently fold in the blueberries.4. Transfer batter to prepared loaf tin. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Allow to sit until cool (at least 30 minutes) and then remove from the pan. 5. In a blender or large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add castor sugar and beat on low speed until combined, then on high until frosting is smooth. Beat in vanilla extract. Carefully frost on top of the cooled cake and store in fridge until ready to serve.

Blueberries not only taste good, but they have a positive impact on your overall health too as they are packed with antioxidants. They really are the perfect fruit for the family. Need proof? Research conducted has found that blueberries:• Helppreventmemoryloss• Preservevision• Aidweightloss• Boostyourimmunesystem• Encouragebonedevelopment• Fightconstipation• Reducetheriskofheartattacks• Lowerbloodsugar• Wardoffurinarytractinfections(UTIs)[Source: www.philly.com]

Blueberries – the super fruit

OfficeLIFE | 29

Family responsibility

leaveKnow your rights

Training MANUAL

30 | OfficeLIFE

It’s always good to know what you are entitled to – in the workplace and life in general. Especially when the two of them clash. You know you have sick leave and annual

leave, but how exactly does family responsibility leave work?The Basic Conditions of Employment Act allows for three days paid leave per cycle (12 months), in which you can attend to certain personal responsibilities. This does not mean, however, that you can use it for anything you please.

What constitutes family responsibility?• Thebirthofachild.• Whenyourchildissick.• Ifyourspouse/lifepartner,parent/adoptive parent, grandparent, child/adopted child, grandchild or sibling dies.

Who is entitled to it?All workers and employers, unless they are members of the National Defence Force, National Intelligence Agency, South African Secret Service or if they are unpaid volunteers working for charity.

Who is excluded?Senior management, sales staff who regulate their own working hours, people who work less than 24 hours a month, workers who earn in excess of an amount stated in Section 6 (3) of the act, and workers engaged in emergency work may also face exclusions. You also cannot claim if you have been working for your employer for less than four months or you work less than four days a week for a certain employer.

Employers are within their rights to ask for proof of the birth, illness or death for which a worker takes family responsibility leave.

Take note

iText: The South African Department of Labour onlinePhotography: Shutterstock

OfficeLIFE | 31

Lite SIDE

Celebs’ first jobsThey may be rich and famous now, but life

wasn’t always so glamorous for these stars

Above left: Kanye West worked at the GAP and, if the lyrics from The College Dropout are to be believed, he stole from them too. Above middle: Michelle Pfeiffer worked as a cashier at a grocery store.Above right: Jon Bon Jovi helped his cousin as a janitor after school.Far left: Actress Eva Mendes worked at Hot Dog on a Stick.Left: Comedian Jim Carrey worked as a janitor at a factory to support his family.Bottom left: Brad Pitt had to dress up in a chicken suit and dance around to attract customers to a fast food restaurant.Bottom middle: Before he was Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp sold pens.Bottom right: Crooner Rod Stewart was a gravedigger before he hit the big time.

32 | OfficeLIFE

“MAKE YOUR

BUSINESS FITTER,

FASTER AND STRONGER”

www.rexelsa.co.za

DONESHUTSTACK

Rexel’s personal office trainer recommends Auto+ Automatic feed shredders for up to 98% less time spent shredding. Simply load the paper and close the lid. A range of 7 machines able to shred 60 to 750 (80gsm) sheets in one load!

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