The Admin’s Niche ISSUE
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FEB 2012 The Admin’s Niche is supplied by the Institute for Certified Administrative Professionals
In this issue
011 432 6841 www.online-at-icap.com
Getting up to speed Page 2-3 with ... ICAP Indaba Dates to diarise for 2012
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IAAP Membership
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Becoming the Person Page 8-9 You choose to be 10 Tips On How To Create a Positive Image Page 8-10 In Person Best Apps for Busy Executive Travellers
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Five Ways to Spring Clean Your Office - No Broom Required
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EFAM - Grapevine Texas
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Nibbles of Knowledge ...
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ICAP Indaba Form
If you wish to unsubscribe - please email kelly@capinstitute.co.za with details
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Booking
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“We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming.” ~Wernher von Braun~ (1912 - 1977) was a German-born rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, space architect, and one of the leading figures in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany during World War II and in the United States after that.
Welcome to the first edition of the ICAP’s Admin Niche Ezine The ICAP Indaba is around the corner and it promises to bring all the delegates up to date with the latest trends and technologies which seem to haunt those few people in the office. The event is scheduled to take place on the 16-17 May 2012 at Gold Reef City Casino Convention Centre. If you are interested in attending, turn to Page 4 for more details. ICAP will also be holding a series of 4 workshops called “Getting up to speed with ..”. The topics for 2012 are Global Business Protocol, Social Media, Internet and the Law and Economics, for dates and more information - please turn to page 2-3 The IAAP Johannesburg Chapter at Large have also set up the dates for Networking. Networking is an important part of everyone’s working world. It is where you are able to make and maintain valuable relationships that could assist you in future. Turn to page 7 to see the dates for the IAAP Networking events as more information about the benefits of being a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals and the IAAP Johannesburg Chapter at Large. If you would like to write an article that is aimed at helping administrative professionals do their jobs more effectively or advance their career, or perhaps you had
a moment of creativity, please feel free to e-mail the article to me on: kelly@capinstitute.co.za If the article is approved and appears in the Ezine, you will be named as the author. I came across a quote by Neil Gaiman, and English Author of Short fiction novels for 2012 I found it to be a nice “mission statement” for myself and perhaps for others “I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something. So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” Till the next edition …
Kelly CAP-OM
SAVE THE DATE for the ICAP INDABA and OFFICE EXPO 16-17 May 2012 Gold Reef City Casino Convention Centre
GETTING UP TO SPEED WITH ….. Part of being professional in the workplace is keeping up with what is happening in the workplace. ICAP have set up a series of workshops which you can attend at a public venue (Corporate Conference Centre), or you can receive the material online and submit an assignment. For CAP / CAP-OM graduates 3 recertification points will be awarded for each workshop. Please note: Points and/or certificates for those doing the online programme will only be awarded once an assignment has been submitted. These workshops can also be arranged as in-house workshops at companies for 5 delegates or more. Price to be negotiated.
GLOBAL BUSINESS PROTOCOL Evolving technology has made the world a smaller place enabling us to socialise and do business with colleagues / counterparts from all over the world. However, we assume that the way we do business, our gestures and facial expressions are the same all over the world – not so! Did you know that even flowers, colours and numbers have different meanings in different countries? E.g. In some Latin American countries purple is the colour for funerals, in Japan white flowers are associated with death and in China the numbers 3 and 8 are considered lucky – doing business on the 3rd or 8th of the month is good luck! Find out this and so much more on how to deal with international visitors and give that first good impression!
Date: 16 March 2012 SOCIAL NETWORKING Social networking takes the traditional or in person networking activities and puts them online. When the internet first started becoming popular, it was mainly an individual experience. Today, the internet includes networking with chat, video and pictures. You can connect with lost friends, schoolmates and colleagues. There are a number of professional networking sites such as LinkedIn, Plaxo, XING, ZoomInfo and Spoke. In this workshop we will concentrate on LinkedIn as a social networking tool. LinkedIn is geared towards the business professional, with the goal of sharing knowledge and tapping into relationships. Your network consists of the people you know – friends, current and former colleagues, schoolmates, industry connections, independent contractors and more. LinkedIn users can also join groups and ask and receive answers to industry specific questions. Find out how LinkedIn can work for you.
Date: 11 May 2012 For more information or a registration form, please contact Dawn on 0114326841 or dawn@capinstitute.co.za
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GETTING UP TO SPEED WITH ….. INTERNET AND THE LAW A million and one questions! The internet has become a big part of our lives – we are able to read articles, copy and paste text and pictures into school projects, presentations and assignments. Have we ever taken a step back to consider if what we are doing is legal? How do the SA Acts e.g. Consumer Protection Act, Privacy Act, Electronic and Communications Act and other play a role on the internet? What are the copyright laws? Building websites is quick and easy – can we as individuals build websites and voice our opinions or slam other people? What are the rules regarding blogging? What are the laws regarding privacy? Know where you stand when accessing information on the internet and what your rights are when using the internet.
Date: 17 May 2012 ECONOMICS Why is it important to learn about our economy? There are many reasons, but one of the most important is that the study of economics is concerned with how people get the goods and services they need and want. It focuses on money - how it is made, lost, used and misused. When our economy does well, we as a nation and as people do well. When our economy is in crisis or doesn't do well, the nation suffers and we as people don't always get the goods and services we need. Thus it is important that we should be informed about the economy. A recession is not what you want. Typically the nation's economy has to be doing poorly for at least six months before the officials start talking about a recession. There has to be a trend. There are many reasons a recession could start. Something might happen with the stock market or in the business world that scares consumers (that’s you and me) into keeping their money instead of spending it. Reduced spending by the consumer means companies have to reduce their output. If this happens for long enough it will mean a reduction of jobs. When people become unemployed, they typically stop spending. The more jobs are lost, the less the consumers consume. The less consumers consume, the more jobs are lost and It turns into a vicious cycle. Learn and understand basic economic factors and how they can affect you.
Date: 16 November 2012
Cost of public workshop: R600.00 (excluding VAT) per person Cost of online programme: R400.00 (excluding VAT) per person Price includes knowledge to take home and apply in the workplace and the possibility of making new connections! Page 3
ICAP INDABA AND EXPO 2012 GOLD REEF CITY CASINO CONVENTION CENTRE 16 – 17 MAY 2012
The definition of an indaba is a council or meeting of indigenous peoples of southern Africa to discuss an important matter. We would like to think of it as a group of professionals from the secretarial and administrative industry getting together to share knowledge on topics current in the workplace.
Join us for 2-days of interactive learning, networking and fun! Information Sessions: Technology update: Becoming mobile … 3G, 4G, iPad, iPod, iPhone, Android? Get connected: LinkedIn – what is it about and how to use it Keeping up to date: The new SA Laws and how they affect us Current Affairs: The State of the Nation Address and Budget Speech – what it means and how it affects you today? PLUS Two high energy, interactive afternoon workshops!
SUEZETTE SMIT THE LEADERSHIP WORKOUT FLEXING THE “RIGHT” MUSCLES TO BUILD A CAREER THAT IS SUCCESSFUL, SUSTAINABLE AND MAKE POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT
CHARLOTTE BLIGNAUT I AM …. HEAR MY VOICE UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF PERCEPTIONS IN COMMUNICATION The cost of the 2-day Indaba will be R5000.00 (excluding VAT). If you can only attend 1day, then you may do so at a cost of R3000.00 (excluding VAT). Price includes knowledge to take back to the office and new friends! If you would like more information or a booking form, please contact ICAP on 011 432 6841 or registration@capinstitute.co.za or visit the website at www.online-at-icap.com
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DAY ONE
DAY TWO
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE BECOMING MOBILE … 3G, 4G, IPAD, IPOD, IPHONE, ANDROID
KEEPING UP TO DATE THE NEW SA LAWS AND HOW THEY AFFECT US
We live in the era of Smart Phones and stupid people … Author unknown
On the run, 24 hours a day. This seems to be the way most of us operate today between work and personal tasks. With all the different technologies available, we have been able to become more mobile – answering emails from our Blackberry’s or iPads. With so many choices on the markets and so many different terms being thrown around, do you understand the different terminologies and what hardware is available in the marketplace to make both your business and personal communication more effective?
There has been much in the news recently about the proposed changes to various acts in different countries. Wikipedia shut down for one day in protest of SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act). In November 2011 there were protests in South Africa with the passing of the Protection of Information Act which places restrictions on journalists, whistle blowers etc. Are you aware of the latest developments and Acts that affect you as an individual in South Africa? Know your rights.
CURRENT AFFAIRS The State of the Nation Address and Budget Speech. What it means and how it affects you today?
GETTING CONNECTED LINKEDIN – WHAT IS IT ABOUT AND HOW TO USE IT LinkedIn has been around since 2003, and was initially little more than a place to keep an online version of your CV or resume and make business connections – a bit like handing out business cards in cyberspace. It has since evolved into a more social tool, with integration with Twitter updates, applications that enable you to increase functionality such as pulling in a blog, and the ability to create events and groups. Many of the core functions you would expect in a generic social network like Facebook, but tailored for business. It’s worth a look even if you just set up a profile then ignore it, since it’s another place for people to find you.
On 9th February 2012, President Jacob Zuma delivered the State of the Nation Address. The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is an annual event in which the President reports on the status of the nation, normally to a joint sitting of Parliament (the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces). The speech marks the opening of the parliamentary year and is usually attended by important political and governmental figures of South Africa.
What was discussed at this year’s SONA and how does it affect you, the individual and our economy for the future ahead?
THE LEADERSHIP WORKOUT
I AM … HEAR MY VOICE
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Understand the role of perceptions in communication Role of our ego in communications – what it is and how to use it positively Different thinking and learning styles relative to effective and clear communication Establishing and understanding your own communication styles Self-awareness, introspection and focus Develop and encourage your Inner Locus of Control Seeing the world as a set of related systems with renewed awareness Self-created tips and techniques – moving forward Awaken inner inspiration and passion for workplace growth
Explore ways in which to incorporate excellent Leadership and Management Skills to take ownership of your profession and career and break through the glass ceiling Capitalise and learn how professional excellence is the best form of self-promotion Break through outdated modes of thinking and leadership styles and ride the wave of change Reflecting on achieving from “good to great” style of leadership Taking ownership of triggers and bad day behaviour that can erode credibility Reflecting on how attitude and choice can help you succeed or fail
SUEZETTE SMIT Founder and Managing Director of Performance Development Interactive, an International Skills Development Company, formed in 2002, Suezette Smit has become well-known as an International Conference Speaker with appearances in the USA, U.A.E, New Zealand, Africa and Namibia. With more than 20 years of experience in the administrative business arena, training, entrepreneurship and innovation, Suezette Smit empowers all business professionals and leaders to move beyond task work to higher-level functions so they can meet the ever-changing and increasing demands of today’s workplace. She is a dynamic speaker loved by audiences for she brings experience to the program rather than the theoretical approach reflecting her “has been there, done that” attitude. Her uniqueness is that she not only sees it the way it is, but tells it the way it is so that everyone can understand and therefore she delivers with a refreshing condor and a hint of attitude filled with humour and energy. Some highlights of her administrative career include:- National President of the Office Professional Association in South Africa, International Liaison for Office professionals in the USA, Finalist in the Clover, Egoli and Rooi Rose’s Personal Assistant of the Millennium, Finalist in the Sanlam Business Woman of the Year and Finalist in the South African Council of Business Woman 2009. Suezette Smit is best known for her highly-acclaimed Office Professional Development Programme OPDP©, a 12 part curriculum designed to assist Office Professionals in developing their skills to become Results-Producing Professionals. Her upcoming book “STEP UP” promises every reader an enjoyable, yet different “journey” in Excellence by realizing if we do not live life on the EDGE, we are wasting space!
CHARLOTTE BLIGNAULT My legacy – independence, individuality and truth Philosophies: I believe in authenticity and truth and no nonsense approach, “It is what it is”. I believe we don’t have all the answers all the time. I believe we are here to learn from one another, and the depth of innermost introspective sharing in group or individual coaching sessions, facilitates inspired growth and ensures the balance and harmony we require at a much deeper level. It is through knowing and acceptance of who we really are, that we come to realise our full potential. This awareness brings to the fore the fact that WE HAVE CHOICE – exciting! After having worked both full time, and contractually in the financial field with my CIS business qualification, I created and ran my own diverse business, from a hobby, to renowned franchised outlets, since 1997-2011. This learning experience has been priceless and has largely shaped who I am today. The nature of this business grew my unique and substantial learning and experience in non-verbal communications and the powerful use of creativity and movement in individual growth. It is the reason I studied a coaching qualification - to be able to take this learning plus the new coaching learning, back into the corporate world and boardrooms, in a formalised and creative verbal communication for learning. My Purpose: I believe my purpose is to passionately support, guide and expose all possible new/old opportunities and solutions available to delegates, and guide leadership development to individual and new heights. It is often a new learning and re learning of what delegates already knows, and of the resources they each have access to. This safe exposure to their innermost self-facilitates a new, harmonious, proactive and inspired enthusiastic lease on work life balance. The positive resultant behavioural or thought process change is awesome and rewarding to me. It reinforces that I have a purpose, and that the skill of being creative, with humour, aids and facilitates faster integrated learning in any corporate environment, at any managerial level.
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Dates to diarise for 2012
www.iaap-johannesburg.org info@iaap-johannesburg.org
23 February 2012
Networking event
19 April 2012
Networking event
16-17 May 2012
Networking event - ICAP Indaba – Chapter Exhibition
7 June 2012
Networking event
16 August 2012
Networking event
24 August 2012
Fundraising: Murder Mystery Dinner
5 September 2012
Fundraising: Secretaries Day Celebration
25 October 2012
Fundraising event: Year End Dinner
7 December 2012
Networking event
IAAP MEMBERSHIP For over 70 years, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has been helping office professionals reach their career goals through education, community building and leadership development. Our certification programs are recognized as the industry standard of proficiency. Our educational programs, including OPTIONS Training, help admins advance their careers without putting their life on hold. If you've been searching for a community to help you thrive in today's office culture, you've come to the right place. Come join us as we create a better workplace, one admin at a time
join IAAP at the chapter, division and international level—all for one $70 price. Don’t put it off. Join today to take advantage of the world’s best networking and education for administrative professionals.
Help Us Celebrate 70 Years! In celebration of IAAP reaching its 70th anniversary, we’re offering administrative professionals a special price when they join the association as a new member. From now until December 31, 2012, new members can
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Member discount on purchases through IAAP on education and professional development resource materials Discounts on registration of any IAAP sponsored international level training workshops, seminars, conferences and conventions. Discounts on registration for the Certified Administrative Professional or the Certified Professional Secretary exams Subscription to: OfficePro magazine, OfficePro Express, an e-newsletter full of research, trends and technology information; IAAP Connections, the association’s monthly e-newsletter Full access to the IAAP Web Community, an online social network for IAAP members. Local chapters, which hold training and networking events and have opportunities for leadership
Becoming the Person You choose to be By Priscilla Bouwer, National Office Professional of the year 2011 Well we have all experienced a curve ball thrown at us at some stage in our lives, I suppose the only difference is the speed and the depth of the curve ball/experience is all that differs. So what did we do, or what are we doing about it right now? Most important, what was your attitude towards this occurrence? Life has a funny way of flinging unexpected challenges our way at time we least expect it, and our attitude towards these challenges has much to do with what we learn and who we become.
feeling that you can’t take another hiccup/upset in your life, it would be a great time to think about whatever the problem is you’re facing in a new way. Ask yourself if dealing with that problem is as bad as losing one of We are all going to experience those your three most important things? hiccups and upsets in our lives, and The answer is always a resounding we need to have an optimistic NO? – Do you agree? attitude to get through those difficult times in our lives. We need This will give you the push you need to have our éscape’ plan ready for to Change your Attitude Now! us, in order for us to retreat and rethink our feelings and emotions. “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing, the last of the Let’s talk a little about practical tools human freedoms – to choose one’s we can use to develop the attitude attitude in any given set of we want and, by extension, the life circumstances, to choose one’s own we want. way.” Our first step is to decide that we BE IN THE NOW WANT to develop a CAN. You may ask – What is a CAN? – No it is not a So we have decided to develop a coke can, it is a CAN Attitude. CAN, so we ask ourselves – What would our next step be?
C A N
-
CHANGE ATTITUDE NOW
Here is another tool that has been suggested we use in our lives to remain on our chosen path and not get flummoxed when the path Take a minute and think about the deviates a little. Being In The Now three most important things in your means to quit dwelling in the past life right now – are they ‘Objects, and worrying about the future. Memories or People’?. Write them I read the following quote in a book down on a sheet of paper. ‘As an old Buddhist axiom puts it – Some advice, the next time you are Yesterday always is, and tomorrow
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never comes.’ We only have today, the present, the now. One obstacle to being In The Now is playing the “What if?” game. Oh yes, aren’t we the masters of that: Here goes – What if they don’t like me? What if I don’t succeed? What if I don’t get the job? Playing this game only stresses us out and destroys any possibility of enjoying what already is. Do you recognise what you have been missing In The Now by living in the past or the future? – Makes you think doesn’t it! When I become a mother at a very young age, I could have easily have given up and been “realistic” about my “bleak and uncertain” future. Sometimes it is much easier for us to fall into that pit of doom. Because then we don’t have to try anymore. We can just sit back and feel sorry for ourselves and not set goals and not have dreams and live in a perpetual ‘self-pity lane that moves at a very slow pace, or no pace at all”. I am sure you can identify with what I mean. I decided that was not the life I wanted to lead. My life was my destiny; it is my journey to fulfil. I had to switch paths, because my journey was suddenly in an entirely different direction. I was now a young mother with a beautiful little girl to take care of and provide for, there was no time for selfishness, mistakes or uncertainties – I had to progress forward. No my journey was not easy, I had some real hard times, I struggled with much confusion and doubt at any given time, but I was persistent
Becoming the Person You choose to be By Priscilla Bouwer, National Office Professional of the year 2011 to pursue only the best for me and my daughter. Today when I look back at my life, I have achieved so much, I am married to the best man in the world, have three wonderful children and have countless blessings that I can’t even keep record of. I have worked very hard to get to where I am now in my career as an Executive PA, I reached my goal, yes it took 20 years, but I made it, and still going strong! I am thankful that I was on the right path, and made the right decisions, mostly thankful for all the people around me both in my personal life and my work colleagues, that helped me achieve all this. This might sound strange, but yes I am thankful to myself as well, for taking the initiative and interest in realising that my life is my destiny, my family and working colleagues and Higher Powers make my goal so worth living. Don’t give up on Yourself, don’t stall, don’t let others tell you that you can’t, you will never, you will not cope. Remember determination, persistence, selfdiscipline will get you to where you want to be – it’s Yours – Be In The Now and make your life happen!
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE Changing our perspective is looking at experiences that happen to us in a new way. Gail Cohen, the author of How to Reach Your Personal Best, shares the following technique: First, think about a time in your life when you had a negative experience, anything that caused you hurt, anger, or embarrassment. Relive it a little, think about it, then write down every negative feeling you experience. Take two minutes, Ready for it? Go! Now, let’s look at that same experience, but from a different perspective. For the next two minutes, write down all of the positive things that came out of that negative experience you just wrote about. Ready for it? Go! Before I asked you to write the positive things down, had you ever even thought about that negative experience in any positive way? Perspective. What an amazing difference it can make in our lives if we simply change it! Do this
“If you don't like my words, don't listen. If you don't like my appearance, don't look. If you don't like my actions, turn your head; It's as simple as that.” ~Unknown~
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exercise every time your perspective is stopping you from becoming the person you choose to be. You will be amazed at the results. What is stopping you from becoming the person you choose to be? As women, we all have choices, but too many have been jammed into the “could of” or “should of” or “I don’t have time to“ file cabinets of our lives. Pull them out! Hope you enjoyed reading on ‘Becoming the Person you Choose to Be’ and the steps to take to ensure you are successful on your journey! Enjoy your week! Best Wishes Priscilla Bouwer
10 Tips On How To Create a Positive Image In Person http://www.evancarmichael.com/Sales/494/ 10-Tips-On-How-To-Create-a-Positive-Image-In-Person.html
3. On being kept waiting.
You may or may not have already made direct contact with the person you’ve made an appointment to see. Whether this is someone you hope will become a customer, loan you money or offer you a job, you want to create a good impression. The tips in this article can be used as a simple but nevertheless effective checklist to help you on your way to achieve your goal.
1. Be punctual.
Allow for delays en route or, for example, a 15-minute walk from the nearest parking area. Prepare your route in advance. Check journey times and frequency of public transport - don’t rely on the latest train that will get you there just on time if nothing goes wrong. If meeting on neutral territory, try to be there early so that you can familiarise yourself with your surroundings. Telephone ahead if you are unavoidably delayed and are going to be late.
2. Take care with your personal appearance.
Be clean and well groomed including hair, hands and fingernails. If you are wearing leather shoes make sure they’re not scuffed. Wear outfits that are smart but comfortable - you’ll find it difficult to concentrate if your waistband is digging in or your toes are pinched. Steer clear of overpowering aftershave or perfume. Avoid eating spicy food, drinking alcohol or smoking just before the meeting (or in worst case scenario ensure you have a powerful breath spray with you!).
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Don’t wait longer than is reasonable beyond the agreed appointment time (I’d say about 15 minutes), unless you are chasing payment or there is a viable and acceptable reason. Don’t be obvious about it but keep your eyes and ears open and use the waiting time to observe your surroundings and learn from them as well as checking out any company literature that may be provided in the reception area. Be aware that any conversation you have with the receptionist/ secretary/etc. could well be related to the Decision Maker later. If you must conduct other business on your mobile telephone whilst waiting, do so quietly and discreetly.
4. Be aware of your personal mannerisms - and tame the disagreeable ones.
Don’t jiggle change or keys, drum your fingers on the table or your laptop, keep flicking your hair back or scratching your nose, for example - the first habits are irritating, the last two make you look nervous or potentially dodgy. Any habit you have has been learned - if it’s irritating, unlearn it!
5. Use your eyes wisely in the meeting.
Look the prospect in the eye when talking to him, but don’t stare at him as though you’re trying to hypnotise him! Observe what his body language is indicating to you - is he looking everywhere but at you, leaning back in his chair, playing with a pen or an executive toy - if he is you’ve lost him, and you need to get him back PDQ. If you are meeting with a group of people and the chain of command is not obvious, for instance he or she who does most of the talking is not necessarily the ultimate Decision
Maker, look to see who the group look to for approval or defer to, and make a point of subtly visually acknowledging that distinction.
6. At the same time use your ears.
What is your prospect’s tone of voice - is it bored, aggressive, interested or eager - and adjust your pitch to accommodate it - but never be aggressive back.
7. Don’t “pounce”.
Be careful not to pounce on your prospect and continually interrupt him – not only is it likely to be extremely annoying to him but also you won’t be giving him the opportunity to open up and provide the information you need in order to progress your goal - let him talk.
8. Avoid potential pitfalls.
You may well be nervous but you want to appear calm and in control. So politely decline the cup of tea or coffee that may be on offer, thus avoiding the potential clattering of the cup in the saucer or, even worse, slopping the contents. Request a glass of water instead. Leave the water to one side until you are more relaxed and in your stride.
9. Project an aura of friendly professionalism.
You don’t have to smile all the time, in fact it would look decidedly odd if you did, but the smile should be there in your voice. Don’t confuse this with familiarity you are there as a professional, not to be your prospect’s chum.
10. Know when to leave.
Once you have achieved the objective of the meeting, or as close as you’re going to get to your objective, outline and agree next steps with the prospect and go
Happy, successful meetings
Best Apps for Busy Executive Travellers by Lynda Silvestro & Santo S. Silvestro Adapted from: Admin Advantage, Edition: January 2012
So you have a hot new iPhone or iPad - now which apps should you download and use? Here’s a list of the hottest apps to help you travel smarter and work more efficiently when on the road.
FlightCaster is a free app for the iPhone that claims to predict flight delays with 95 percent accuracy. So before booking your next flight, check if there’s a chance of any delays first.
GateGuru is another free app for iPhones that allows you to search your airport for the restaurants, stores and services that you want and need. You can also bookmark favorite spots, read reviews, and share your travels via Facebook and Twitter.
SeatGuru
is the right app for someone very particular about their seat assignment. View detailed airplane seat charts, along with crucial information about which seats are broken, have little legroom or misaligned windows.
TravelTracker Pro was named best money-saving app by American Express. The app delivers live flight status reports and live flight map tracking in the U.S. It also integrates with TripIt, so you can carry all your TripIt information including flight info, hotel reservations, car rentals, meetings, weather reports and more all without needing an Internet connection.
travel search engines. Kayak Mobile for the iPad and iPhone lets you use Kayak’s dedicated travel search engine to find flight prices from almost any origin to destinations around the world. Find what you need based on price, comfort and positive feedback.
With TripAdvisor’s mobile app, you can search for airline ticket and hotel deals, restaurants and attractions and more. The app also offers information on vacation rentals, hotels, tourist attractions and other international destinations. It’s also available in one dozen languages and includes business reviews from 35 million travellers.
MySkyStatus.com is an app powered
The TripIt Travel Organizer is a free
Kayak is one of the world’s leading
by Lufthansa that allows you to set up auto-Tweeting on your flight status to family, friends and business associates. Your Twitter followers can even track your in-flight progress, even if you don’t have in-flight Wi-Fi.
app that consolidates itineraries, reservations and other information, including maps and directions for multiple trips. Check-in for flights, verify flight status and check local weather from one location.
The Phone Book App from YellowBook. Using technology from Google Maps, this free app can locate nearby businesses in a virtual reality format, including phone numbers, store hours and integrated maps. It also has an automated voice search feature to access information on millions of restaurants, hotels and businesses around the world.
WeatherBug Elite: You know where
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you’re going, you know a little about the place and you’ve booked a great hotel - but what’s the weather like? Enter WeatherBug Elite and you’ll get beautifully-presented weather forecasts through an easy-to-navigate user interface. Not just the weather, you’ll also get infrared satellite, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, next day high and next day low
pressure data. You even get live weather cameras.
WikiHood is consistently rated a best iPad app. This virtual guidebook combines Wikipedia and Google Maps to provide you with extensive information on a place’s culture, history and geography. It also uses GPS technology to display local attractions and historic information for destinations around the world. The XE Currency Converter is a mobile currency conversion tool that helps you keep track of how much you spend when abroad. The app automatically updates conversion rates for 190 international currencies. Available free with download options for all iPhone platforms.
About the Authors: Santo and Lynda Silvestro purchased Hoyt Livery in 1987. Throughout the years, they have created the Hoyt Experience... first-rate service beyond your expectations... from the moment you make your initial reservation until the time you reach your final destination. Santo and Lynda Silvestro purchased Hoyt Livery in 1987. Throughout the years, they have created the Hoyt Experience... first-rate service beyond your expectations... from the moment you make your initial reservation until the time you reach your final destination. Hoyt Livery is dedicated to on-the-go business professionals and today’s savvy leisure travellers. Find out why people throughout Fairfield County are saying “Hoyt’s Here.” Visit Hoyt Livery’s website at http:// www.hoytlivery.com to learn more.
Five Ways to Spring Clean Your Office -No Broom Required
Adapted from: http://wealthwisdomandsuccess.com/business-success/five-ways-to-spring-clean-your-office-no-broom-required/2011/
specific. Clearly articulate your vision Libby says that a leader’s and create alignment among your recommitment to his or her initiatives employees. and culture change is essential. “Do what you have to do in order to keep If done right, according to Libby, your the culture and initiatives moving in a employees may never even know they positive direction. are being confronted! Keep the lines of communication open and be a leader in tough times. Your What’s your ultimate goal? employees will adapt to the change or Ask for what you want. Too often, changes with a little more empathy and according to Libby, leaders focus on full disclosure of the situation from its what they don’t want and lack the detail leaders.” or specifics in identifying what they do want from their employees. Keeping the place clean - while
sustaining a profit culture.
Think your closet needs a spring cleaning? What about your office? “We’re not talking about a new flower in the corner and some new frames for your desk,” says Executive Coach Libby Wagner. “Get rid of what isn’t working and work your way to a profit culture.”
Confronting the “messy area.” Much the same way you would start to clean your house, you must approach your business. Confront the issues at hand. According to Libby, confrontation should be respectful, direct and
“One of the most important changes you can make to your leadership and The only way to keep your business in communication is to utilize language check is to focus on what follows after that is efficient and effective. “ you have done all that hard work. “Stay wholeheartedly committed,” says Libby. Example: “I would like this place to be “It is the emotional fortitude of the neater.” Not: “This place is a pigsty.” leader and communication infrastructure that will make or break Don’t just sit there - take action the initiative.
and clean too!
So, as a leader, keep your attitude and You, as the leader, should be a part of commitment to the process and so will the process. Be part of the team and your followers!” show your commitment.
Change - Change is part of life.
About the Author:
Libby has worked with numerous Some things must go by the wayside. Fortune 500 clients and CEOs, including: Whether it’s your team jersey from high The Boeing Company, Nike, Philips, ST school or an employee that isn’t Microelectronics, Diageo and Costco. contributing.
Reserve your room now for the 2012 Education Forum and Annual Meeting July 21-25 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Centre in Grapevine, Texas. About 10 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the Gaylord Texan will be the perfect place to relax, shop and enjoy yourself during EFAM. The resort includes more than 1,500 luxurious guest rooms with wireless internet access, safes and complimentary bottled water. Guests will have access to a 25,000-square-foot day spa and fitness center. Plus, you will get four complimentary passes to Paradise Springs, the Gaylord Texan’s 10-acre pool complex with a 600-foot “lazy river,” beach, bar and grille and game pavilion. There’s casual and formal restaurants, plenty of shops and a night club. When it’s time to attend the conference, you’ll be easy walking distance from the resort’s convention center. The entire resort is indoors and climate controlled, with lush landscaping and majestic glass atriums. Get on the trail for the 2012 EFAM and make your reservation today!
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Nibbles of Knowledge ... S TA R T B O O K I N G N O W, B E F O R E I T I S TO O L AT E
FEBRUARY 2012 SUN
Important dates for February 2012 14 February 2012 Valentines Day
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ICAP Graduation
29 PEW
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Important dates for March 2012 16 March 2012 Workshop: Global Business Protocol 21 March 2012 Public Holiday: Human Rights Day 23 March 2012 ICAP Graduation for 2011 Graduates 28-30 March 2012 Pre-exam Seminar for the May 2012 CAP/CAP-OM Examinations
The Institute for Certified Administrative Professionals Telephone: 011 432 6841 Fax: 0866 179 688 eMail: registration@capinstitute.co.za Website: www.online-at-icap.com
ICAP INDABA AND EXPO 2012 16 – 17 May 2012, Gold Reef City Casino Convention Centre, Johannesburg Please tick appropriate box
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