I was inspired by a friend of mine, who is also married, she is currently busy with her proposal for a PhD. She has been married for many years and has two children. My friend is still able to focus on her career despite the fact that she is a family woman. Many women get married and have children after that their life goals fall away.
Nowadays, women become comfortable in relationships/marriages and forget their dreams. Men always go after what they want. There are people who stay with their boyfriends and become common law wives. What goes through my mind is that has that always been that woman's hopes for her future to live her boyfriend's dream? When a man gets an opportunity to upgrade himself, he doesn't think twice about it. For women, the questions is always what will happen to our relationship?
I feel women sacrifice so much of their lives for boyfriends/husbands. The days are over when women have children, cook and stay in the house. It is time now that women empower themselves.If you don't live your dream now, then when?
Monday, February 28, 2011
If I were a boss?
My company will have a male dominated workplace. This will be from top management right up to the cleaners, Personal Assistant and receiptionist. I find that men are very competitive therefore results driven. Men work very hard because they have families to support and a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. Men work towards having a promotion rather than gift vouchers or a day at the spa, which females would accept as acknowledgement for their hard work. Men listen to women because they don't like to argue especially if it's their boss.
On the other hand, woman generally have an attitude towards other women especially if it's their boss. With women you have to deal with premenstrual stress (pms) and getting pregnant. This means that they are away from work for four months with their skills, experience and training they received. Women also suffer from phd (pull her down) syndrome. Women have to take time off to take care of their children because the nanny didn't come to work or the child is sick. On the contrary, employing men their wives or girlfriends are taking care of the children.
I have an Image Consultancy and my clients are all men. The beauty of male clients is that they pay on time and I don't have to run after them regarding a payment. At first, I also had female clients, but it was also such an issue because they wanted to bargain prices and after that didn't pay on time.
The key to keeping my company running successfully will be status reports. There will always be one-on-one meetings. These will require the employee to say what they have done or how far they are with their tasks. My employees will always know their job descriptions and what is expected from them. I would also ensure as an employer that I equip my employees with the necessary tools needed for them to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. One of the rules of the company is that everyone has individual and group responsibility of a campaign/project whether it succeeds or fails.
On the other hand, woman generally have an attitude towards other women especially if it's their boss. With women you have to deal with premenstrual stress (pms) and getting pregnant. This means that they are away from work for four months with their skills, experience and training they received. Women also suffer from phd (pull her down) syndrome. Women have to take time off to take care of their children because the nanny didn't come to work or the child is sick. On the contrary, employing men their wives or girlfriends are taking care of the children.
I have an Image Consultancy and my clients are all men. The beauty of male clients is that they pay on time and I don't have to run after them regarding a payment. At first, I also had female clients, but it was also such an issue because they wanted to bargain prices and after that didn't pay on time.
The key to keeping my company running successfully will be status reports. There will always be one-on-one meetings. These will require the employee to say what they have done or how far they are with their tasks. My employees will always know their job descriptions and what is expected from them. I would also ensure as an employer that I equip my employees with the necessary tools needed for them to do their jobs effectively and efficiently. One of the rules of the company is that everyone has individual and group responsibility of a campaign/project whether it succeeds or fails.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Do you think crying is a sign of weakness?
Crying is when a person lets out their deepest emotions that are bottled up. This is another way of releasing feelings that have been built up and are troubling a person. It feels good to cry and afterwards you feel better, calm and at peace. Crying is also a healing process especially when you have no words to express how you feel. There are instances where people cry out of anger and frustration.
My friend lost her mother last year November. They had a close relationship and they were like best friends. As she grew up her mom became her confidant, mentor and a friend. Her mother assisted her emotionally, taking care of her children when she was busy with work. Her work required her to travel all over the country. Overall her mother was a pillar of strength.
She had built a house for her parents and she only lived in it for a year. A month later, her father passed away. He was in pain as her parents had been married for over 40 years. This was a terrible time for my friend and her siblings.
In this scenario, would you say that my friend is crying because she is weakness? Or is she a child crying for the parents she will never see again? My friend is crying because she has lost a sympathetic ear. No-one can replace her mother. My friend is crying because she will never celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day buying her parents flowers, cards or anything that showed she loved them.
My friend is crying because she is asking God why this had to happen to her. My friend is crying because she is the eldest child, now she has to be a mother and a father to her siblings. My friend is crying because she is letting out her feelings and knows from this situation, she has to be a stronger person.
My friend lost her mother last year November. They had a close relationship and they were like best friends. As she grew up her mom became her confidant, mentor and a friend. Her mother assisted her emotionally, taking care of her children when she was busy with work. Her work required her to travel all over the country. Overall her mother was a pillar of strength.
She had built a house for her parents and she only lived in it for a year. A month later, her father passed away. He was in pain as her parents had been married for over 40 years. This was a terrible time for my friend and her siblings.
In this scenario, would you say that my friend is crying because she is weakness? Or is she a child crying for the parents she will never see again? My friend is crying because she has lost a sympathetic ear. No-one can replace her mother. My friend is crying because she will never celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day buying her parents flowers, cards or anything that showed she loved them.
My friend is crying because she is asking God why this had to happen to her. My friend is crying because she is the eldest child, now she has to be a mother and a father to her siblings. My friend is crying because she is letting out her feelings and knows from this situation, she has to be a stronger person.
Two people come out of a building and into a story.
Yesterday, I was bored at home and decided to go to Capellos, a small club in Cape Town. When I got there, I still felt bored and I didn't know if I should stay or go home. I met someone who didn't have company also anticipating the same thing. She was in a dilemma though. She said " Hi" and I responded saying "Hi". At first it was a bit awkward, but there was something that drew us closer to talk. As I was walking away deciding that it would be better to be home watching t.v. Then she stopped me and asked which way I was going, she needed a lift because it was too windy outside.
We ended up talking for four hours and got to know each other better. We found out we were from the same town, Durban and we both went to what was formerly known as Natal Technikon, but we had never met there. I didn't even feel that it was the early hours of the morning. I gave her a lift to her place and we decided to meet for lunch the following day.
We met for lunch at Sinn's Restaurant, it seemed like we had a similar taste in food. It was surprising that we come from different backgrounds, but we related to each other on our life experiences. We became good friends and even thought of starting our own company together. Two people come out of a building and into a story.
We ended up talking for four hours and got to know each other better. We found out we were from the same town, Durban and we both went to what was formerly known as Natal Technikon, but we had never met there. I didn't even feel that it was the early hours of the morning. I gave her a lift to her place and we decided to meet for lunch the following day.
We met for lunch at Sinn's Restaurant, it seemed like we had a similar taste in food. It was surprising that we come from different backgrounds, but we related to each other on our life experiences. We became good friends and even thought of starting our own company together. Two people come out of a building and into a story.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Designer PR
Public Relations is a powerful tool for any organisation to be successful. PR Practitioners have to be creative, innovative and original. If you think about it, this is a job of a designer. In an organisation like Woolworths, new products or services go through the PR department so that they can strategise on how to creatively get them into the market. Even the graphic designers get their approval from this department to ensure that the message that Woolworths sends out has synergy.
Successful organisations invest their time and money in public relations. Organisations such as RedBull, Starbucks and Zara understand the importance of customer satisfaction. When customers are satisfied with your product or service, they are loyal to your brand even when the pawpaw hits the fan. We have seen a few times Pick 'n Pay dealing with a crisis including Woolworths, but because they have built a solid relationship with their customers they are able to recover.
Before PR practitioners were not taken seriously, now organisations are realising that they cannot survive without them.
Successful organisations invest their time and money in public relations. Organisations such as RedBull, Starbucks and Zara understand the importance of customer satisfaction. When customers are satisfied with your product or service, they are loyal to your brand even when the pawpaw hits the fan. We have seen a few times Pick 'n Pay dealing with a crisis including Woolworths, but because they have built a solid relationship with their customers they are able to recover.
Before PR practitioners were not taken seriously, now organisations are realising that they cannot survive without them.
How are you pursuing your dreams?
After working for so many years at SAA, I never thought I will leave my job. I was very passionate about what I was doing. I started disliking my job because there was no growth. Some my colleagues had been with the company for 30 years, but had no plans to move. I told myself I did not want to be a fossil in the organisation.
There was always a small voice in my head that said 'you are still not done with your school'. It is easier to keep busy than to face your fears. When we first met, I was assisting a very difficult passenger that my colleagues did not want to help. As the passionate employee that I was, I helped someone it so happens that he was the one to encourage to take on this journey. At the time, Professor Dakora was a dean at CPUT. He would encourage me that I need to study further and empower myself as woman.
All his aspirations for me to study beyond a diploma seemed like such a fantasy. I thought this man must be joking and not everyone is meant to study to become a professor. I have now obtained my National Diploma and currently studying BTech and pursuing my dreams. I am following that small voice in my head and I want to become a communication specialist.
There was always a small voice in my head that said 'you are still not done with your school'. It is easier to keep busy than to face your fears. When we first met, I was assisting a very difficult passenger that my colleagues did not want to help. As the passionate employee that I was, I helped someone it so happens that he was the one to encourage to take on this journey. At the time, Professor Dakora was a dean at CPUT. He would encourage me that I need to study further and empower myself as woman.
All his aspirations for me to study beyond a diploma seemed like such a fantasy. I thought this man must be joking and not everyone is meant to study to become a professor. I have now obtained my National Diploma and currently studying BTech and pursuing my dreams. I am following that small voice in my head and I want to become a communication specialist.
I AM
I am a young woman whose pursuing her dreams. I grew up as a middle child unlike the general perception of them, I was independent at a very young age. I left home in Durban for Jo'burg and I never looked back. I went there to find a job and to find better opportunities. Later I found myself living in the Mother City.
I worked for the South African Airways and this gave me opportunities to travel and see the beauties of this world. I have seen and learnt different cultures, my love for fashion came from these adventurous trips. This also made me realise that standard of living in South Africa is expensive. I have travelled to Brazil and seen the most beautiful hand-made shoes. I went to India, but honestly what we see on the television is not the true reflection of how they live. Most people in India live in poverty. I also loved China and bargaining with them to buy anything and everything. This is when I started my image consultancy, the love to dress people up. I have built a small clientele.
I am still in pursuit of my dreams and currently studying BTech in Public Relations. I am loving every moment of it. My motto in life is 'do you want to hang out with the boss or do you want to be the boss'.
I worked for the South African Airways and this gave me opportunities to travel and see the beauties of this world. I have seen and learnt different cultures, my love for fashion came from these adventurous trips. This also made me realise that standard of living in South Africa is expensive. I have travelled to Brazil and seen the most beautiful hand-made shoes. I went to India, but honestly what we see on the television is not the true reflection of how they live. Most people in India live in poverty. I also loved China and bargaining with them to buy anything and everything. This is when I started my image consultancy, the love to dress people up. I have built a small clientele.
I am still in pursuit of my dreams and currently studying BTech in Public Relations. I am loving every moment of it. My motto in life is 'do you want to hang out with the boss or do you want to be the boss'.
Friendships
Allow me to share the tips I have learned through out my years regarding friendships. Nurture your friendships, they matter more than you can possibly imagine. It is friends who see you through if you have them you can cope with almost anything. Friendships need maintenance, this means giving time and thought to our friends. Many of us tend to be absorbed by our jobs and families and neglect good friendships. It is quite a challenge keeping a balance. We must be able to renew old friendships and make new ones.
I lost a friend ten years ago because of lack of communication. It is still haunting me even today that I could not attend her funeral. It was a traumatising experience for me. Keeping in touch is the only way. We all know a friend who offers a helping hand when you are in need. A friend who lifts up a phone to call you when you have lost your job, a friend who will visit you when you are ill. A friend who will celebrate your successes with you.
Our friends know us better than our families because we spend most of our time with them. If a friend needs help never wait for her to ask, just offer your assistance. We are fortunate that in this day and age there's technology. We can find various ways to communicate with our friends. There's facebook, twitter, skype, BBM, mxit, sms, mms you name it, so there's no excuse not to communicate. Keep in touch, this is the only way to keep friendships alive.
I lost a friend ten years ago because of lack of communication. It is still haunting me even today that I could not attend her funeral. It was a traumatising experience for me. Keeping in touch is the only way. We all know a friend who offers a helping hand when you are in need. A friend who lifts up a phone to call you when you have lost your job, a friend who will visit you when you are ill. A friend who will celebrate your successes with you.
Our friends know us better than our families because we spend most of our time with them. If a friend needs help never wait for her to ask, just offer your assistance. We are fortunate that in this day and age there's technology. We can find various ways to communicate with our friends. There's facebook, twitter, skype, BBM, mxit, sms, mms you name it, so there's no excuse not to communicate. Keep in touch, this is the only way to keep friendships alive.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)