06 | Get a good repTips from Marlene Mienie

Officelife Volume 3 | Issue 13 | 2014

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

28 | Yummy recipeMini malva puddings

26 | Toys for toddlersEntertainment on a budget

20 | Coffee break10 cool facts about your cuppa

OPSA news• Massage your stress away• Network and learn• Who will be the next

OPSA Rexel Office Professional of the Year?

Bon voyageBooking a business trip

Painless performance appraisals7 steps for success

Structured surroundingsWhy a tidy desk is important

Earn CPDpoints inthis issue

Attention grabberMake your CV stand out from the rest

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14 | Tidy space, clear mind

20 | Coffee time

issue 13 2014

in this issuePUBLISHED 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 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

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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.

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

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

PLUS a note from OPSA

4 OPSA invites Network or spa day – you’re invited to

both!

6 Got a bad rep? Sort it out with advice from Marlene

Mienie

8 What a performance How to prep for appraisals

12 Stand out from the crowd Make your CV impressive

14 Tidy desk, tidy mind Organise your space

16 Reviews New books, movies and DVDs for your

leisure

18 Please like me! Ways to get people in your corner

20 Ten things... ... you probably didn’t know about your

caffeine fix

22 Jet setters Help for when your boss needs to

travel

25 Call for entries You could be the next Office

Professional of the Year!

26 Play to learn Tips for stimulating your toddler

28 Delicious recipe Mini malva puddings… yum!

30 Indoor fun Keeping kids busy inside when it’s cold

32 Happy Father’s Day Celeb dads with five or more children

26 | Entertainment for toddlers

OfficeLIFE | 1

This year seems to be flying by! The cooler weather is seen as a blessing by some and a hindrance by others.The latter category is generally where children fall. Not being able to play outside as much can leave them feeling cooped up and bored. If you want some ideas on how to keep them entertained indoors, read the article on page 30.While on the subject of kids and play, educational toys can be a huge, and unnecessary, expense. We all want what’s best for our toddlers, but breaking the bank is not an option. Luckily, we have found some helpful advice on stimulating your little ones on a tight budget (page 26).On the work front, if your boss travels, the arrangements usually fall into your lap. It’s not always the easiest or most pleasant of tasks, and can be quite stressful to manage, so be sure to read the advice on page 22 for some inspiration. Then, if you are thinking of getting a new job, you’ll need to polish up your CV a bit. For tips on making it shine, read the article on page 12. We also have a lot of OPSA news to share with you this issue. You are invited to enter the OPSA Rexel Office Professional of the Year Competition (page 25), to have a glorious spa day (page 5) and to attend a networking event that will better explain the CPD system (page 4).As always, I love to hear from you. Whether you have questions, advice, problems or suggestions, please feel free to email me on officelife@panorama.co.za. Until next time,Keep well

boardBulletin

News to know

Driving comfortablyHere are some tips from Tempur on maximising comfort while travellinglong distances:• Positionyourseatsothatyoucaneasilyreachthewheelandgetyourfeeton the pedals.• Adjusttheseattohaveyourkneesslightlyhigherthanyourhips.• Changetheseatpositionoccasionallybytiltingslightlyforwardorslightly backward.• Avoidslumpingforwardorsittinginatwistedposition.• Considerlumbarsupportoraseatpadforadditionalsupportandcomfort.• Frequentlyrepositionyourhandsonthewheeltotakestrainoffyourupperback and neck muscles.• Stopeveryfewhoursandstretchorwalkaround.• Keephydratedtoavoidbuild-upoflacticacidinover-workedmuscles,which can cause stiffness.

Father’sDayfallson

Sunday 15 June this year,

so make sure all the dads

in your life feel special.

Remember

Housework is good for youHere’s a good reason to pick up that mop, even when cleaning is the last thing you feel like doing… Daily physical exercise as light as vacuuming can dramatically reduce a person’s risk of disability – by up to 30%. The study, which included almost 1,700 adults aged 45 to 75, was conducted as part of a long-term study on osteoarthritis. [SOURCE: WWW.WEBMD.COM]

2 | OfficeLIFE

OPSA NewsIhavejustattendedaseminaronthe latest statutory developments in the South African employment environment and there are some very interesting changes that are sure to affect OPSA members.Employment is one of the greatest challenges facing South Africa and I am in favour of any legislation that empowers South Africans to enter the workplace and secure fair, rewarding employment. I am also an advocate of measures that address and eliminate unfair discrimination and open the way for growth and development.While OPSA actively encourages and supports males to enter the office profession, the truth of the matter is that more than 85% of OPSA’s members are female, and females have not always enjoyedthesamerightsasmalesinthe workplace. Many of the pending changes to employment legislation relate to strengthening the rights of female employees addressing issues like giving females access to resources and opportunities to build meaningful careers. The legislation around female empowermentandgenderequalitysetsout to ensure that at least 50% of all employees, at all levels in organisations, must be female and, under the amendments to the Employment EquityAct,allworkers,regardlessoftheir gender (or other discriminatory elements like race, religion, marital statusandthelike)shouldreceiveequalpayforequalwork.Another interesting area is the introduction of tax incentives to employers to employ younger people between the ages of 18 and 30 and earning a salary of less than R6,000 per month. This incentive is not meant to createjoblossesforpeopleovertheageof 30, in fact companies will face severe financial penalties if they are found to have retrenched staff to employ younger staff and claim this incentive. It is important that you, as an employee, or as a self-employed contractor, keep yourself updated on changes in the employment environment that could affect your rights and responsibilities at work. Educate yourself and use this knowledge to actively drive your career and advance the office profession.

Foot ulcers and diabeticsEliminating foot ulcers could cut medical costs for diabetics by almost half, according to research. A recent US study by The Analysis Group showed that foot ulcers led to large medical bills for diabetics – almost double the other costs of treating the condition, according to health portal McKnight’s.com.

HerearesometipsbyDiabecinnFeetcarecreamonlookingafteryour feet:•Washanddryfeetdaily.•Usemildsoapandwarmwater.Patyourfeetdry,don’trubthem.UseDiabetesFeetcarecreamonyourfeettoprevent cracking but do not rub cream or body lotions

between your toes. •Examineyourfeetdailyby

checking the top and the bottom for any cracked/dry skin, blisters, cuts, corns, calluses, redness or tenderness.• Takecareoftoenailsbycuttingthem regularly after bathing. Cut straight and smooth and avoid cutting into the corners of toes.

Check regularly for ingrown toenails. •Wearcomfortableshoesatalltimes,

especially when exercising.•Alwayswearshoesandsocks.Avoid

wearing high heels and going barefoot. Do not wear new shoes for more than an hour

at a time, change your socks daily and wear loose-fitting natural fibre socks (cotton, wool or a blend).

Did you know?• 14JuneisWorldBloodDonorDay.• Toqualifytodonatebloodyoumustbebetween16and65yearsofage.• Youmustweighover50kg(simplyput,becausethesmalleryouare,the

less blood you have).• Adonationusuallyentails480mℓatatime.• Bylawyoucanonlydonateevery56days.Thisistoallowyourbodytoregenerate the red blood cells it lost during your last donation.Formoreinformationonwhereyoucanmakealife-savingdonation,pleasevisit www.sanbs.org.za.

OfficeLIFE | 3

OPSANEWS

What’s in it for me? How does it work? How much will it cost?Doyouhavequestionsaboutprofessional designations and Continuous Professional Development and whether this is something you should consider to enhance your career and standing in the office profession?

Join us for a networking morning hosted by Marlene Mienie, the current OPSA Rexel SA National Office Professional of the Year, and the OPSA Professional Designations Panel, where we will discuss everything relating

to OPSA’s professional designations and our Continuous Professional Development Programme.We will discuss:•Whatareprofessionaldesignations?•WhataretheOPSAprofessionaldesignations available to me?•HowdoIapplyforadesignation?•Whowillassessmyapplication?•OnceIamregistered,howdoIkeepupmy registration?•WhatisCPD?•HowdoesCPDwork?•Whatwillitcost?

JohannesburgDate: Thursday, 29 May 2014Time: 8am to 10amVenue: Focus Rooms, SunninghillCost: R150

PretoriaDate: Saturday, 31 May 2014Time: 09:30am to 11:30amVenue: Siyanqoba Private FET College, GarsfonteinCost: R150To book your place contact Tshego on 012 993 0881 or email her at admin@opsa.org.za.

OPSA networking eventOPSA professional designations and CPD

4 | OfficeLIFE

OPSANEWS

Office ProfessionalsRetreat

To stay at the top of your game, sometimes you need to stop, take a deep breath, let your hair down and relax…

OPSA and Rexel Office Products invite you to celebrate Office Professionals Week by joiningusonFriday,5September2014foranindulgentdayoftranquilrejuvenationin the lap of luxury at the award-winning Ingaadi Spa. You deserve a day of ‘me-time’ and we guarantee you will leave feelingre-energised,rejuvenatedandre-inspired. Your day of pampering will include:• AdelightfulIngaadibreakfastupon

arrival• AdelectableIngaadilunch• Anassortmentofsnackstospoilyour

senses all day long• Abeverageselection• Arejuvenatingexfoliationandafullbody

massage experience with intense hot stone therapy

• AfacialtreatmentusingEsseproducts,which includes a full cleanse, exfoliation, soothing mask and tone

• ArelaxingJacuzziorheatedmartinipool• Anindulgentheadandneckmassage

with Ingaadi’s signature Esse oil• Ingaadi’sfamoushandmassagewith

invigorating lavender scrub exfoliation treatments

• Arevitalisingfootmassagewithlimitedreflexology points, which includes an escape to paradise with Ingaadi’s extensive lavender scrub exfoliation

• Everyguestwillreceiveapamperhamper valued at R500.

• Loadsofspotprizeswillbegiven out on the day. • Lookoutforourspecialguest

speaker on nutrition and health.

Date: Friday, 5 September 2014Investment: R3,500 (excl. VAT)

OfficeLIFE | 5

Training MANUAL

6 | OfficeLIFE

Here are a few tips from your current OPSA Rexel Office Professional of the Year, Marlene Mienie, on how to gain and maintain your good

professional reputation.

Always deliver work within promised timelinesBy delivering your best, on time, your boss and your peers will become accustomed to the fact that you are reliable. You will be known as a person whonotonlygetsthejobdoneontime,butdeliversthehighestqualityofwork.Never ‘over-promise’ and ‘under-deliver’ as you will set yourself up for failure and destroy your reputation over time.

Be proactive and demonstrate initiativeBe proactive by identifying possible problems before they occur. Never approach your manager without having two or three suggestions on how to resolve a problem. That way you will show your ability to resolve problems before they occur. However, if you are having difficulty identifying the most suitable solution, ask for advice from your manager before implementing the most appropriate solution.

Be respectful and offer your opinion with tactAlways treat people with respect and handlesensitivesituationswithtact.Forexample, when suggesting another way ofdoingthings,ratherthaninquiringwhysomething is done a certain way, ask if management has considered doing it another way. Suggesting a new process ratherthanquestioningthecurrentonedemonstrates your forward thinking without criticism.

Look and act professionalAlways dress the part and have a good attitude. You certainly do not want to be avoided for being temperamental, aloof, part of gossiping or simply not wanting to assist others.

Keep relationships professional!Work friends can become some of your best friends, in and out of the office. Remember that professional relationships always come first. Be careful not to share confidential information as the consequencescanbedetrimentaltoyour career.

iText: Marlene MieniePhotography: Shutterstock

Building a good rep

A good reputation is vitally important when it comes to making a name for

yourself in the industry

Earn CPD pointsSendtheanswertothisquestionto admin@opsa.org.za and your correct answer will contribute towards your CPD score:•Nameonewayyoucanshow

that you are reliable.

CPD

OfficeLIFE | 7

Training MANUAL

‘Feedback’ can be one of the most powerful tools for gaining personal growth in your career, and if approached correctly can,

contrary to belief, be a positive experience for both the supervisor/superior/manager as well as the individual/co-worker/subordinate involved. If your manager needs to set up performance appraisals, chances are you will be assisting, so keep

these seven tips in mind to make the experience as smooth as possible.

1Control the environment Make sure that you think about

when and where you should meet for the discussion. Consider the message you want to communicate and how the setting contributes or detracts from themessage.Findaquietmeetingplace or informal setting where you can

meet alone and undisturbed. Carefully consider the setting and the impact that the atmosphere of the environment in and around the setting can have on the contentofthefeedback.Forexample,think about:• Thedirectionthewindowsface,asyou do not want the person to be seen by the general office if the feedback is negative. You do not want to embarrass the person.

We’ve all done it, we all dread it, but we all experience personal growth from it

to a painless performance appraisal

7 steps

8 | OfficeLIFE

Natasha Sexton CA(SA) and Riaan Rudman CA(SA) are both lecturers in the Department of Accounting at Stellenbosch University.

iText: Ogilvy on behalf of Stellenbosch UniversityPhotography: Shutterstock

• Themessagethatthelocationofthemeetingwillcommunicate.Formal,informal? • Whetherthereareanydistractions.

2 Give noticeWhen you are planning the feedback

meeting, give the person warning or notice about the meeting. Don’t be cryptic about the agenda; tell the person that the meeting is a feedback or performance meeting. Make it clear that the purpose of the meeting is to help with the person’s development. That way the person can prepare themselves for the meeting. You need to give the person time to get their attitude right to embrace whatever is said and use the feedback received as a tool for personal growth. There is nothing worse than being caught off guard and having to contain your emotions before replying to a discussion point, or the feeling that you are being cornered and you have to defend yourself.

3 Be preparedMake sure that you remain in control

of the meeting by having a clear agenda (a list of things you need to say). Also make sure you cover all the items that you want. No issue should go unresolved. Make sure that you are clear in your mind about what you want to say and how you want to say it. Consider, among other things, whether you are using appropriate words and the inflection in your tone of voice. These meetings can often be sidetracked by incorrectly interpreted words and meanings or emotional responses. Particularly important is thinking about how you are going to start as well as conclude the meeting. You want the person to know that the discussion is about assisting them in improving their performance for their own personal growth, not only the ultimate success of the company.

4Stick to the factsEveryone is apprehensive when

receiving constructive criticism, so make sure that you address the behaviour and not the person. Provide specific examples of behaviour that have occurred. Clearly describe what happened using all the necessary facts including when, where and what happened – say it as it is. It is difficult to argue with the facts. Although it is important not to allow the meeting to turn into a highly emotional one, give the person time to clarify any discussion points from their perspective. Never make any assumptions or conclusions about what happened. It is also important to present the facts in a ‘non-negative’ light. Do not attack or criticise the person.

5Discuss the impact Foreach‘behaviour’thatis

discussed, factually describe the impact that the behaviour had on the business, their colleagues and even superiors. If a person can understand the negative impact that their behaviour had on others or the organisation, it will assist in creating buy-in from the person in the action plan developed going forward. Present an argument that the reason the behaviour must be prevented from reoccurring is to prevent the ‘impact’ from occurring again in the future.

6Moving forwardAny feedback meeting should have

the goal of personal growth of the person and making them better at what they are doing. Make sure you never close a feedback meeting without summarising the key issues and agreeing on the way forward, so that the behaviour is not repeated and the individual can achieve personal growth. The way forward must be agreeable to both parties. These points forward need to be: (i) tangible, (ii) measurable, (iii) attainable, (iv) the person must be held accountable to

implementing them, and (v) be presented in a positive light.

7Acknowledge and re-enforce the change

There is nothing more rewarding for a person as well as their supervisor than to see a change in behaviour after a feedback meeting. So keep your eyes peeled and when the person addresses their behaviour, reward them, and tell them – they need to hear about it. By acknowledging the change in behaviour and connecting this change in behaviour with positive feedback, it assists in mitigating the negative connotation associated with feedback meetings and the original behaviour or act. This paves the way for the next feedback session and ultimate success for the individual and the company.

In order for feedback about negative behaviour to have a lasting impact, an environment needs to be created for direct dialogue about the facts, which forms a basis of a plan for the future.

OfficeLIFE | 9

Quest for knowledge

This is because the blood pressure in your head and upper body drop whenyoustandtooquickly.700mmof blood flows down purely because of gravity. The momentary shortage of blood in your head makes you dizzy andyouseeblackspots.Fortunately,your body is able to do something aboutthisveryquickly.Itsqueezesblood vessels together and then there is enough blood to push up. The medical term for this phenomenon is orthostatic hypotension.

Can hair grow on a scar?Nora Els, Johannesburg

No, when scar tissue forms it will destroy the hair follicles from where

the hairs grow. Once destroyed they will never grow back. Scars are always without hair.

A head rush could sometimes lead to fainting.

BS

IP/H

H

L adies, this one is for you. It’s very possible that it rains diamonds on gaseous planets Jupiter

and Saturn. At least that is what researchers of the University of Wisconsin in Madison (USA) think. They analysed the temperature and pressure in the atmosphere of these planets and studied new data about how carbon behaves under various conditions. The scenario: methane changes into carbon high up in the atmosphere because of thunderstorms. It falls down through the various layers of the atmosphere and changes because of the increasing pressure. It first transforms into graphite and then into diamond. The biggest pieces are over 0.5cm in diameter, according to the researchers. That’s big enoughtouseinjewellery.

7SPACE

Bling rain

Why do you get dizzy when you stand

too quickly?Zaf Khan,

Shaka’s Kraal

10 | OfficeLIFE

the magazine that surprises

for knowledgeproudly brought to you by

Why does it often help to hit a piece of equipment when it stops functioning? Shane Richards, Durban

This is called ‘percussive maintenance’. Unfortunately

this usually only has a temporary effect. In electronic devices it is usually broken connections or loose contacts that cause problems. A hit can restore the connection for a while, but these parts will most likely come loose again and you will have to solder

the contacts again. Corroded batteries are often the fault in a remote control. The oxidised metal conducts badly and blocks the energy supply. A hit could temporarily fix the contact but the real solution is new batteries. Furthermore,it’sbesttoinsertnew batteries as soon as possible before corrosion affects the other

parts of the remote. Also, don’t forget to clean the contact points of the remote.

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7PSYCHOLOGY

Rubbish excuses pay off

W ant to seem reliable? Well, make excuses for things

that are not your fault such as the weather or traffic. This was apparent from research done by the University of Pennsylvania (USA). The scientists had an actor speak to people on a rainy day. He asked if he could borrow their cellphone. If he preceded thequestionwithexcusesaboutthe weather, he had success in 74% of the cases. Only 9% of the people gave him their phone when he didn’t apologise for the weather. It apparently makes you look reliable even if the excuse is silly.

A sweet smile can do no harm if you want to get something done.

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Your device will break faster if you hit it harder and more often.

Join the quest for knowledge

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OfficeLIFE | 11

Training MANUAL

12 | OfficeLIFE

CVs can be tricky to get the hang of, even after you’ve been working for a number of years. Whether you’re re-enteringthejobmarketafter

years at the same company or whether you’vejustgraduated,we’vegotexpertadvice on all you need to know.

Make it countWhen it comes to CVs, it’s important to follow some general guidelines. The rule of thumb when it comes to the length of a CV, says Tamara Wolpert of Viv Gordon Placements in Cape Town, is to keep it concise. It should be short, but still contain all the relevant information such as dates and places of study. Work experience should start with your most recentjob,workingbackwards,listingthenames of the companies you worked at, dates you were employed, titles as well as a brief list of duties and achievements.

In-depth lookEver wished you could be more creative with your CV? Well, according to Tamara, you can, especially when applying for amorecreativejobsuchasagraphicdesigner. Nevertheless, she advises against making the CV look too busy. “Make sure all the relevant details (employment/education) are clear. There’s nothing worse than searching for information on a CV.”Another important topic is your duration of employment. In Tamara’s opinion, if you’ve only worked for a company for one or two weeks, it’s usually not worth mentioning as it only clutters up your CV. If you’ve worked for a number of places for three months or so, she

says it would be best to consolidate this experience as too many of these would look cumbersome. It also looks bad if you’ve been somewhere for six months, then eight, then two months, and so on. However, to avoid misrepresenting information on your CV, Tamara suggests finding a way to make it look uncluttered and more presentable. She maintains that when writing your CV, the general rules to go by are to only add the necessary (industry-specific) information, never write inuppercase,andifyou’rejuststartingout, keep your CV to a maximum of one to two pages.

Don’ts for CVsAccording to Sindi Mtshali, Associate at DAV Professional Placement Group, there are a few things you can leave out of your CV to make it more concise and effective.

1. Personal informationSindisuggestssteeringclearofsubjectssuch as religion, sexual orientation and political affiliations. “Some companies worry that if they interview you and they don’tgiveyouthejob,theycouldbesuedfor discrimination. Don’t run the risk of having your CV dumped in the ‘do not interview’ pile because of your religious references.”2. Personal attributesAnother big don’t for a CV – your picture. “Most employers shouldn’t – and legally can’t – care about your appearance. Vanity references put hiring managers in the awkward position of evaluating you based on your appearance.”3. Irrelevant clubs and membershipsAdding your long-forgotten club and membershipyearstoyourCVmayjust

keepyoufromyourdreamjob.Bottomline: employers do not care. Sindi recommends focusing on what you learnt. “Did you gain valuable leadership experience as chess president? Well, that’s nice. Can you provide an example of a time you used your leadership skills to achieve measurable results? Even better.”4. Lies, fallacies and fairytales“This should go without saying. Over-embellished education or work experience should not be present in your CV at all.” Sindi states that it’s not always better to include more than you have to on your CV. Employers usually scan through in order to find the professional accomplishments and work experience that they’re specifically looking for. Rather than focusing on the wrong things, try to tailor it to the position you’re applying for.

• TamaraWolpertatVivGordonPlacements. Visit www.vgp.co.za for more or contact them on 0214221037.• SindiMtshaliatDAVProfessionalPlacement Group. Visit www.dav.co.za for more or contact them on 0112170000(JHB)or0214687000(CT).• How to Fill Out a Resume After Being at the Same Job for Over 20 Years by Sara Mahuron,http://work.chron.com/.

Sources

Beenoutofthejobmarketforawhile? Take a look at how you can make a killer comeback…• Startpositivebywritingasummaryofyourqualificationsorasummaryonthe best reasons to hire you.• Keepitnewandfresh–onlyfocuson recent accomplishments.• Diversifyyourexperience,inotherwords if you’ve worked for the same employer for a number of years, list the different roles and positions you’ve held at the company.

Back in action

iText: Danica PotgieterPhotography: Shutterstock

Cracking your CVDon’t let your CV get the best of you. Here’s how to get it in tip-top shape

OfficeLIFE | 13

Training MANUAL

14 | OfficeLIFE

i Text: Laura McKeenPhotography: Glovatskiy

Tidy desk, tidy mindHow to combat clutter

Tidiness triumphs when it comes to productivity in the workplace. Think straight and work efficiently rather than wasting time looking for ‘lost’

items amid a mountain of paperwork, water bottles and NikNaks packets. Here’s how to organise your desk.

Create a space for everything onyour deskSome ideas include:• InboxUse a standard stackable letter tray to store documents like memos, print-outs and random things placed on your desk by colleagues that don’t yet have a purpose.• IncubateboxOn top of your Inbox tray, stack another letter tray to put items that are ‘on hold’. These are items like articles you’re thinking of reading, ideas for potential projects,andinformationabouteventsyou might attend.• ActionfilePutpapersthatrequiremorethantwominutes of your time in an accordion- type folder. These might include forms to fill out and documents that need to be proofread. This way, they’re easily accessible when you get round to doing them.• CurrentprojectsrackUse a file rack or small file box with folderstostoreactiveprojects.Allocateandlabelonefolderperprojectsoprojectsareeasytofind.• FilingcabinetPutcompletedprojects,generalreferenceitems, and anything else you might want to look at again in a filing cabinet. Use simple flat folders that are organised from A-Z as they take up less space than hanging folders.

• DumpboxesHave a dustbin so you can throw away items that are no longer of use and a recycling bin for used paper that can be recycled.

The who’s who of paperworkDavid Allen’s work-life management system and book, Getting Things Done (GTD), suggests a step-by-step system for dealing with plentiful paperwork.

1ProcessPut all papers on your desk in your Inbox tray and then go through them

one by one. Ask yourself if you can act on the file. If yes: do it if it takes less than two minutes, delegate it if you’re not the right person to do it, or defer it to your ActionfileorCurrentProjectsrackforattention at a later stage.

2OrganiseIf the file has no action for you, trash it, or recycle it if you don’t

need it. Put it in your Incubate tray if you aren’t ready to deal with it or archiveitinyourfilingcabinet for later reference.

3ReviewIt’s important to process your Inbox daily. It’s a good idea to do it at

least twice a day: once around noon and again at the end of the day. Try to make sure you empty your Inbox by the end of the day so that a fresh Inbox awaits you in the morning. Move completed files into your filing cabinet and transfer files from your Incubate tray into your Inbox (if possible) on a weekly basis. Go through your filing cabinet and get rid of files you won’t need again on a monthly basis.

Trash those printoutsContribute to paper conservation and minimise clutter by aiming for a ‘paperless office’. Print only documents you really

need in hardcopy format. After printing a document and completing its action, place it in the recycle bin. You’ll have a copy of it on your computer, so there’s no need for it to clutter your desk.

Take your books homeTake home any books that you don’t use regularly. This will give you more desk space to work with.

Limit those photoframesPictures of loved ones are a reminder of what’s important in life and they might be a great comfort on a bad day. However, an excessive number of photos might be a distraction and take up a lot of space. Rather store photos on your computer and watch a slideshow of an abundance of your pictures during a break.

Eat away from your deskEating at your desk makes way for trash like food wrappings and cans to clutteryourdesk.Foodanddrinksarealso likely to damage your computer or phone if messed. Rather keep your desk clean and functional by eating somewhere else. It’s also a good excuse for a mental break from work andyou’llprobablyenjoyyourmealmore without phone or computer interruptions.

Just do itGive those papers on your desk a place and purpose. Keep a punch, blank file folders and a label marker at your desk. With these items in reach you don’t have an excuse to put off filing.

OfficeLIFE | 15

Lite SIDE

Book – A Hippo Love Story By Karen Paolillo In1992,whenhergeologisthusbandwassentto a remote bush camp in Zimbabwe at a time of severe drought, Karen Paolillo stepped in to save the lives of a group of hippos who were going to die. With help from the British animal charity Care fortheWildInternational,sheraisedover26,000pounds to feed them and give them their own artificial water source as their habitat, the Turgwe River, had completely dried up.

Reviews

On DVD – Escape PlanRay Breslin (Sylvester Stallone) is the world’s leading authority on structural security. After analysing every high-security prison and learning a vast array of survival skills so he can design escape-proof prisons, his skills are put to the test. He’s framed and incarcerated in a master prison he designed himself. He needs to escape and find the person who put him behind bars.

On the big screen – Grace of Monaco Releases 23 MayGrace Kelly is a huge movie star with the promise of a glittering career when she marries Prince Rainer of Monaco in 1956. Six years later, with her marriage undergoing serious difficulty, Alfred Hitchcock offers her the chance to return to Hollywood to play the part of Marnie in hisnextfilm.ButFranceisalsothreateningto annex Monaco. Grace is torn and forced to choose between the creative flame that still burns within her and her role as Her Serene Highness, Princess of Monaco.

Skeletons By Jane Fallon Jen has discovered a secret. It’s not hers to share, but is it hers to keep? If she tells her husband Jason, he might get over the shock but will he forgive her for telling the truth? She might drive a wedge between them.

On the big screen – TranscendenceReleases 30 May Dr Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is the foremost researcher in the field of artificial intelligence, working to create a sentient machine that combines the collective intelligence of everything ever known with the full range of human emotions. His highly controversial experiments have made him famous, but they have also made him the prime target of anti-technology extremists who will do whatever it takes to stop him. But when his thirst for knowledgeturnsintoaquestforpower,thebiggerquestionis,canhestophimself?

What is new this month?

16 | OfficeLIFE

It has never been easier to subscribe to your favourite magazine or spoil someone special. So go to www.coolmags.com today to subscribe or to purchase a single copy to peruse a title you perhaps do not know.

Subscribe today and send a loved one a gift that keeps on giving every month

Training MANUAL

18 | OfficeLIFE

You may think that being liked is not important, especially in an office setting. You’re not there to make friends, right? So why make all that effort,

when you don’t even like half the people yourself? Well, the truth of the matter is that the workplace can be a little bit like high school. Those who are popular seem to get ahead…But being liked is not something that comes easily to us all. Some are cynical and don’t see the value in trying, some are genuinely unfriendly and are not interested in others and their lives, and othersjustdon’tknowwheretostart.Ifyou fall into the latter category, there are a few things you can try.

1Get your own self-esteem issues in check first. If you believe you are worth

liking, others will too.

2Be genuine. Ask people about their lives and their work, and care about

the answer. Most people like to talk about themselves, so showing an interest will appeal to them. If you can remember to ask how their daughter’s graduation went soon after the event, that’s an added bonus.

3Get excited. Enthusiasm and positivity arecontagious.Findthingsyouare

passionate about and focus on those. Your happiness will draw people to you.

4 Share, but don’t overshare. Add to conversations with personal

experiences, but be wary of sharing too much. People like those who are relatable, but they don’t like those who share info on their athlete’s foot over lunch.

5Watch your body language. Unfold those arms, lean in a little when

you speak to people and make regular eye contact. In other words show people you want to speak to them – be approachable.

6 Be kind. Help people when and as you can. Don’t make it to your own

detriment, but dropping someone off when it’s on your route home will make them remember you as someone who cared.

7 Have a sense of humour. Not all of usareacejoketellers,butifyoucan

laugh at yourself, you’ll be more likeable. People don’t gravitate towards those who take themselves too seriously, so relax.

8 Talk to everyone. Don’t only speak to those who can further your career. Be

genuinelyfriendlyandsayaquickhelloto everyone you see. Keep conversations short though – you don’t want to keep yourself and others from their work.

9 Have good manners, even when you’re having a bad day. Snapping

at people, not greeting them when they address you or having a little cloud over your head all day is a sure-fire way to make people steer clear of you.

10 Work on being laid-back. If someone makes an off-colour

joke,usesyourcoffeemugorborrowsyour stationery and doesn’t return it, relax. These are small things, and not worth being difficult about.

• Noteveryonewilllikeyouallofthe time. And that is okay!• Beyourself.Puttingonafaçadewill become tiring in the long run.• Don’ttrytoohard.Youdon’twant to come off as creepy or desperate.• Readthesignals.Youmaywantto approach someone, but they may not be in the mood to talk. • Don’tbeoffendedifothersaren’tasfriendlyasyou.Focusonthosewho are.

Things to remember

iText: Penelope PeterPhotography: Shutterstock

Getting people to like you

10 steps to being a more approachable person

OfficeLIFE | 19

Home TIME

1 The word ‘coffee’ originally came fromtheArabicwordqahhwatal-bun,

which translates as ‘wine of the bean’. As such, early European coffee-drinkers called it ‘Arabian wine’.

2Legend has it that Ethiopian shepherds first noted the side

effects of caffeine when goats who had eaten coffee berries became ‘frisky’ and ‘danced’.

3 Coffee was originally eaten by African tribes, who mixed it with fat and

made ‘energy balls’.

4 Coffee grows on trees that can reach up to 9m in height.

5 The coffee bean is actually a seed inside a bright red berry.

It’s your morning pick-me-up, but how much do you know about your favourite brew?

10 c

ool t

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s about coffee

6 Coffee is the second-most traded commodity in the world (oil being

the first).

7 A Belgian man called George Washington (no relation to the

American president) invented instant coffee in 1906.

8 Caffeinekicksin15to20minutesafter you consume it.

9 10-20gofcaffeineisconsideredalethal dose. Don’t worry though, this equatesto17.75ℓofcoffee.

10 Finnishpeopledrinkthemost(12kgperpersonperyear),Brazil

produces the most (54,500,000 bags a year), and the US imports the most (over $14 billion worth) coffee in the world.

20 | OfficeLIFE

OfficeLIFE | 21

DoMORE

JettingHow to make businesstravel painlessoff

22 | OfficeLIFE

Travelling for business can be an exhilarating experience but it can also be stressful and exhausting. Especially if proper arrangements have not

been made. Larger companies may have a

department which handles your arrangements or you could be asked to make your own bookings. Local trips can be booked online, but for international multi-leg trips to different cities, you’re better off going with the professionals. “Dealing with an agent ensures the best routing and fares,” says Jinx Glanville, travel manager at Sea-Jay Travel. “They can also help with land arrangements, visa information and provide pertinent destination alerts or advice on travel insurance.”

If you are asked to book a trip for your boss, you’ll need his travel dates and personal information. “You must have the passenger’s full name and surname, his identity number for local trips and passport number for international trips,” says Jinx. “You will also need his cell number,frequentflyerinformationandanyspecificdietaryrequirementsforin-flight meals and hotel bookings.”

Arranging flightsContact your travel agent or book your flights as soon as possible. Earlybookingsgenerallyqualifyfordiscounted rates while last minute bookingsoftenattractpenalties.Findout about your company’s policy on business and economy class travel before you book. If you are travelling overseas, try to land the day before the meeting so you can get a good night’s sleep before work.

Travel visas Jinx says that visa delay times at the various consulates vary between 24hoursand14workingdays.“Manyconsulates are not prepared to issue emergencyvisassoevenifthejourneyis not finalised, go ahead and apply for thevisa,”shesays.Requirementsalsodiffer from country to country; visit the consulate website to find out exactly whatisrequiredforanappointment.Ifyou aren’t sure, check up on country visarequirements.(SAcitizensnowrequireavisafortheUnitedKingdom.)

Booking checklist If you are asked to book a trip for your boss, Jinx says you’ll need the following info about the passenger:✓ dates of the planned travel ✓ full name and surname✓ identity number for local trips ✓ passport number for international trips✓ passenger’s cell number✓ frequentflyerinformation✓ any specific dietary requirements(forin-flightmeals and hotel bookings)

OfficeLIFE | 23

Accommodation If you’re going on a business trip to a branch overseas, ask a colleague at the international office for advice on accommodation. Locals know the city layout, morning traffic congestion and going rates and will be able to suggest the right hotel. If not, contact a travel agent for reputable hotels in safe neighbourhoods. Also check on amenities offered at the hotel. Do you need to be near the airport? DotheyofferaWi-Fiservice?Isbreakfastserved early? Do they offer room service?

Car hire and public transportIf you are planning on driving overseas, you need to apply for an international driving permit (IDP) through the Automobile Association (AA). You must have a valid South African driver’s license to apply. Forpublictransport,doalittlehomework(before you leave) on how the system works, where you will need to purchase tickets or cards and the closest stations or depots to your hotel. This is where Google becomes your friend.

Your luggage Check the airline’s weight limit before you pack. Rather pack under the limit and leave a few extra kilograms for items which you may purchase on your trip. Check the weather forecasts before you plan your wardrobe. Most airlines only allow passengers to take one piece of handluggageonboard.Liquids,gelsand pastes must be in containers no larger than 100ml and must not exceed one litre in total. All containers must be placed into a small, clear, re-sealable plastic bag. Finances You may be asked to use a credit card or cash. Pop an A4 envelope or plastic sleeve into your briefcase to keep all till and payment slips so you can show your trip expenditure. Take a moment tojotdownthedate,whatyoupaid

DoMORE

Hand luggage packing checklist✓ Passport with visa ✓ Plane/train/hotel tickets or

vouchers✓ Foreignexchangeorcreditcard✓ Travel insurance papers✓ Glasses or contacts (Get

a prescription from your optometrist in case yours gets lost/broken.)

✓ Digital camera and laptop ✓ Plug adapter and/or voltage

convertor✓ Chronic meds✓ Prescription for chronic meds (in

case you lose them; also proves to customs that your meds aren’t illegal)

✓ Gastro, pain and allergy meds✓ Ointment for bites/stings ✓ Comfortable shoes (remember

your feet will swell during a long trip)

✓ Toiletries(justenoughforontheplane)

✓ Appropriate clothing for the weather at your destination

✓ Another change of clothing (in case your checked-in suitcases go missing)

for and the amount on the back of the receipt–justincasethecashregisterink wipes off.

Travel insuranceYou do need travel insurance for international business travel. But check with your medical aid first – some schemes cover it on certain plans. If you are not covered, ask your employer to take out a policy. Mostcountriesrequireproofoftravelinsurance with the visa application.

Earn CPD pointsSendtheanswertothisquestiontoadmin@opsa.org.za and your correct answer will contribute towards your CPD score:•Namethreethingsyouneedtoknow

about the passenger before you book their flight.

CPD

i Text: Gina HartoogPhotography: alexsalo images, wisiel

24 | OfficeLIFE

Part of any professional body’s mandate is to acknowledge the outstanding achievers in its constituency, those who excel and who serve as inspirational

ambassadors to people in the profession and those wishing to pursue a career in the profession. For32years,OPSAhasbeenhostingtheOPSA Rexel National Office Professional of the Year Award. We have drawn winners and finalists from the private, public and NGO sector from a number of provinces and, of late, both men and women. This year we are once again putting out the call for South

Africa’s crème de la crème to come forward and receive

the acknowledgement you deserve. You can enter yourself or nominate a person you feel epitomises the administrative profession.“Rexel Office Products has been the proud sponsor of the OPSA National Office Professional of the Year Award for the last six years. The Office Professional of the

Year Award programme serves

to acknowledge and reward skill

and competence in the office environment.

High-capacity office

professionals and office managers play an important part in the overall success of any organisation. We further recognise and respect the role that these individuals play as decision makers in the procurement of office supplies. It is therefore our aim to ensure that they are kept informed and have access to the latest stationery and office products, which are designed to help them increase productivity with minimum effort,” says Bill Bayley, Managing Director of Rexel Office Products South Africa.We are looking for individuals who:• serveasinspirationalrolemodelsto

others in the field.• deliverexceptionaladministrative

support services.• offerinnovativeinputsintotheir

organisations.• contributetoahigh-performingteam.Finalistsinthecompetitionwillreceive10 CPD points and the professional designation CMOP (Certified Master Office Professional). The winner will receive20CPDpoints.Thewinnerwillalso receive an assortment of prizes, including a cash prize of R15,000 from Rexel and an opportunity to attend South Africa’s leading conference for office professionals, Office SA (sponsoredbySiyanqobaPrivateFETCollege). Applications are open and the application form can be downloaded from the website www.opsa.org.za. Entriescloseat5pmon11July2014.Formoreinformationcontacttheawardconvener,SamanthaBrown,on0129930881 or email her at info@opsa.org.za.

iText: OPSAPhotography: Shutterstock

Are you South Africa’s best office professional?

Entries are now open!

OfficeLIFE | 25

WorkingMOM

Fun timesHow to stimulate your toddler without breaking the bank

26 | OfficeLIFE

We don’t all have tons of cash to buy the ‘latest and greatest’ gadgets that will help our kids learn all they need to

know. But guess what? You don’t have to – the answer is to spend time with your child in a meaningful way. Here are five ways you can help your toddler learn while still having fun.

1. Floor timeIt’sprettysimple:youjustsitonthefloorand play with your child.Here are some fun things to do on the floor:• Rollaballbackandforthtoeachother.• Build…buildanything:LEGO,blocks,towers, stacks. Building does amazing things to the brain for logic, maths, ordering and grouping, and fine motor skills.• Playwithanimals,stuffedtoys,anythingthat involves both of your interaction, conversation and focused attention.• Toycars–youcanbuilda‘track’withyour building blocks for you to race in.

2. Table timeTeaching your child to sit and stay on a chair by a table (not a high chair or car seat) takes the kind of self-discipline that will stand your child in good stead in the school years. Learning how to sit still and focus is a skill of such value it should be called a ‘gift’ rather than a skill.Some fun things to do during table time:• Puzzles–fantasticforlogic,mathsanda sense of accomplishment. Peg board puzzles are great for little fingers, and when they are two or three years old you can start expanding to three- to 15-piece connected puzzles.• Playdough–cheaptobuy,supereasyto make. It’s a great recipe.• Drawing–‘fat’waxcrayonsaregreatfor little fingers. Chalk is fun as well.• Paintingandfingerpainting.• Teapartywithyouandthedolls.

3. Outside timeScheduling some outside time every day does great things for health and imagination.Here are some fun things to do, even when it’s cold outside:• Fillabasinwithsoapywaterandletthem ‘wash’ their tea set. Don’t worry

if (when) they get wet, it’s part of the learning process.• Waterpainting–useapaintbrushand water to ‘paint’ on the outside wall, driveway or paving around your house.• Pavementchalk–suchafunwaytouse art outdoors.• Kickaball.• Climbatree.• Playcatch.• Haveapicnic.• Playpeekaboo.• ‘Camp’withablankettentorarealtent.

4. Outing timeDo you:1. Buy your groceries and then fetch the kids, or2.Fetchthekidsandthenbuyyourgroceries?Iknowmostofusdooptionone.It’sjustso much easier!Sadly, we rob our children of valuable tools in life if we always do the hard work while they are away. Tools like:• Socialskills:Askyourchildtosmileandsay hello to the cashier, and thank you to the packer.• Taskorderandcompletion:Theywillsee you with a shopping list, keeping to the list, and finishing shopping with groceries in hand from the list.• Theywilllearnthatdifferentrulesapplyin different places. The shops, church, granny’s house and the library all have different rules that we need to abide by.You don’t have to buy groceries every day, so find other things to do to get you out of the house with your kids:• Gotothelibrary.• Visitfamilyandfriends.• Gotothepark.

5. Bored timeThis is a funny one, isn’t it? Don’t stimulate your child every minute of the day. Boredom is the mother of creativity. Embrace it. If need be, plan it.

Gaya from Little Bo Babies is a mom of twin girls and runs an online store that offers baby products and advice to new and seasoned moms. If you’d like to contact her, you can reach her at gaya@littlebobabies.com. Little Bo Babies is an online community for moms and moms-to-be. Visit the site atwww.littlebobabies.com. i

Text: Little Bo BabiesPhotography: Shutterstock

OfficeLIFE | 27

Home TIME

28 | OfficeLIFE

Malva pudding cupcakes

This perennial favourite is twice as nice when made in individual portionsINGREDIENTSFor the cupcakes• 2largeeggs•¾ cup brown sugar• 3tablespoonsapricotjam• 2tablespoonsmeltedbutter•⅔ cup full-cream milk• 1teaspoonvinegar• 1cupcakeflour• 1teaspoonbicarbonate• 1pinchsalt

Sauce• 80mℓcream• 40mℓwater• 1tablespoonbutter• 80mℓbrownsugar

Topping• 250mℓfreshcream,towhip• 60mℓicingsugar

METHOD1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.2.Beatthesugarandeggstogetheruntil the sugar has dissolved.3.Addtheapricotjamandmeltedbutter and whisk/beat to combine.4. Stir the vinegar into the milk and

then pour that into the egg mixture and stir through.5. Sift the dry ingredients and whisk together before adding to the wet ingredients. Whisk to form a smooth batter.6. Line a muffin baking tray with large, high-sided cupcake casings.7.Pourequalamountsofthebatterintoeachofthe12casings.8. Bake in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes. Check if they are done by inserting a knife into the middle of one of the centre cupcakes and if it comes out clean, they are done.9. While the cupcakes are in the oven, place all the sauce ingredients into a saucepan and heat gently, stirring continuously until the sugar has dissolved, then remove from the heat.10. Once the cupcakes are done, remove from the oven, poke several holes over each surface and pour one tablespoon of sauce over each cupcake.11. Allow to cool completely in the muffin tray before adding the topping.

Recipe sourced fromhttp://blogs.food24.com/undomestikated

The cream topping is delicate and, as many of you will know, it is very easy to whip cream into butter; the line between a stiff peak whipped cream and butter is a fine one and easy to cross. If you do whip your cream into butter, simply add a little more cream and gently whisk together until it returns to the whipped cream stage.12.Tomakethecreamtoppingplacea metal/glass bowl and your whisk/beaters in the freezer for 15 minutes (cream is temperature sensitive so the cooler the temperature, the better the finish on the whip).13. After 15 minutes place your cream and icing sugar in the bowl and whisk until stiff peaks form, then spoon onto your cupcakes and serve.14. If not serving immediately, store the whipped cream in the fridge, but it will lose its whip over time so if this happens simply beat it again.

OfficeLIFE | 29

Home TIME

gamesCold and miserable days are the pits for children who love being outdoors. But, they can be brightened up with some fun and creative indoor games

indoor

30 | OfficeLIFE

Dots and squaresOn a piece of paper, draw a grid of dots, as shown. Give each child a pencil and explain the rules to them:•Thefirstplayerdrawseitherahorizontalor vertical line between two dots (flip a coin to decide who goes first).•Thenextplayerthentakesaturntodo the same.•Keeptakingturnsuntilaboxisformed.The player who drew the last line to complete the box claims it by writing their initials in it.•Ifyoucloseonebox,yougetanotherturn.•Whenyoucan’tdrawanymorelines,the game is over. Count the amount of boxes each player owns – the one with the most wins!

Guessing gamesThis is a great game for younger children. Chooseanobjectintheirbedroomandgive them three clues so they can guess what it is. When they think they have the answer,theymustbringtheobjecttoyou.You can help them out by telling them when they’re hot (near) or cold (far).

Obstacle coursesCreate an indoor obstacle course by moving furniture and stringing wool around the room. The child must not touch any string, or they must start from the beginning. You can expand on this by leaving clues after each obstacle detailing what they must do next. Perhaps they have to hop three times on one leg before they continue, or fetch mom an apple. Be creative.

General knowledgeThis is a great game for older children, as it makes them think. You will need a piece of paper and pen for each player and a counter (you can use the stopwatch on your cellphone if you like). Here’s how to play:•Onapieceofpaper,drawthelettersof the alphabet, spaced out, with a circle around each one. If your kids are smaller, perhaps leave out the more difficult letters like Q, X and Z.•Giveeachplayerapieceofpaperand draw vertical columns for each category – try using ones like ‘animals’, ‘girl’s names’, ‘boy’s names’ and ‘places’. Keep them very generic to make it a little easier.•Tostartthegame,oneplayercloseshis/her eyes and stabs a letter. Now,

players have 30 seconds to come up with an animal, girl’s name, boy’s name and place that begin with that letter. •Theplayergets10pointsforeachvalid word he gets in 30 seconds.•Keepgoinguntilyourunoutofletters(or until the kids seem niggly), then add up the scores to see who’s won. Finding funCreate a checklist and get the kids to scour the house trying to find the objectslisted.Thiswillgiveyouatleast15 minutes of peace to do whatever youwanttodo.Youcouldsay‘Findsomethingrough’,‘Findsomethingpurple’or‘Findsomethingthatsmellsnice’. It’s also a good way to teach younger children about colours and textures.

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Girl's Names Boy's name Animal Places ScoreBetty Bob Bear Bahamas 40

Dots and squares

OfficeLIFE | 31

Celeb broodsThese celebs sure have their hands full this

Father’s Day!Brad Pitt Number of children: sixHe and partner Angelina Jolie have a mix of adopted and biological children: Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne.

Justin ChambersNumber of children: fiveThe Grey’s Anatomy star and his wife, Keisha, have daughters Eva, Isabella, Kaila, Maya and a son, Jackson.

Robert De NiroNumber of children: sixThe actor has two children each with three different women – Raphael, Drena, Aaron, Helen, Elliot and Julian, as well as four grandchildren.

Charlie SheenNumber of children: fiveThis strange star has a daughter, Cassandra(29),withhisformerhighschool girlfriend, two daughters (Sam and Lola) with ex-wife Denise Richards, and twin sons Max and Bob with ex-wife Brooke Mueller. He also has one grandchild.

Eddie MurphyNumber of children: eightEddie has Bria, Shayne, Miles, Bella, Zola, Christian, Eric and Angel, who was conceived with ex-Spice Girl Melanie Brown, and proven to be his daughter via DNA testing after he disputed paternity.

Steven SpielbergNumber of children: sixMax, Theo, Mikaela, Sasha, Sawyer and Destry are a mix of adopted and biological children, and Jessica is his wife Kate Capshaw’s child from a previous marriage.

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Robert De Niro Eddie Murphy Steven Spielberg

Charlie Sheen

32 | OfficeLIFE

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