November 08 Newsletter

Office christmas party – 10 ideas for your office shenanigans

With the festive season fast approaching, we thought perhaps you'd like to deck the halls with boughs of… something different. Office Christmas parties can often be predictable and tedious affairs that you’d rather stick pins in your eyes than attend. But they don’t need to be. Here are some top suggestions for alternative office party venues in Sydney that should guarantee full attendance. Now all you need to decide is whether to go for reindeer headbands or Santa hats!!

1. Team Kayaking and Beach BBQ
2. Harbour Cruise / Sailing
3. Murder Mystery
4. Treasure Hunt
5. Cooking Lessons
6. Hunter Valley Wine Tour
7. Casino Night
8. Go-Karting
9. Deep Sea Fishing
10. Corporate Idol

cure

Privacy breaches - prevention is better than the cure

Ms Karen Curtis, The Australian Privacy Commissioner, recently released the ‘Guide to Handling Personal Information Security Breaches’. It is intended for use by businesses, agencies and non-government organisations to prevent, and if necessary, to deal with data breaches.

Ms Curtis said, "Under the Privacy Act, organisations must take reasonable steps to prevent a malicious or unintentional loss of personal information they hold,"

"However, in the eventuality that a breach does occur, the Guide will provide clear steps that can be taken to minimise the impact of the breach on those individuals affected by it."

The Guide has been developed after comprehensive consultation with a range of stakeholders. Included are four key steps for responding to a breach:

    1. Contain the breach and do a preliminary assessment.
    2. Evaluate the risks associated with the breach.
    3. Consider notification.
    4. Prevent future breaches.

Step 3 suggests that any individuals affected by a breach should be notified if there is a risk of serious harm, and gives examples, such as when notification is appropriate.

Ms Curtis said "While the Guide is voluntary, it represents good practice in handling breaches, and I would urge all organisations and agencies to read it and consider its use".

In August 2008 the Australian Law Reform Commission recommended that mandatory breach notification be introduced into law and the operation of the Guide could affect the Government's response to this.

The ‘Guide to Handling Personal Information Security Breaches’ is available at: www.privacy.gov.au/publications/breach_guide.pdf

time

Better managing your time

We all have 168 hours in a week. In that time we need to eat, sleep and work, and what time is left over we spend with family and friends, do something for ourselves, contribute to others, and perhaps (if you are really good) something for the community.

If we feel pressed for time it's not so much a matter of time that we don't have, rather that we haven't prioritised what we want to do. When we don’t allocate time to important and critical tasks we will feel pressed for time and out of control. Knowing what to do and when to do it is an essential part of success in your work and personal life. Time management is really a matter managing your tasks.

The following steps will help you feel more in control of your time and tasks:

1. Acknowledge that work is a part of life, but not your whole life.
2. Look at what you want to do in every aspect of your life.
3. Write a schedule of your ideal week based on the available 168 hours, including time for sleep, preparing for work and travel.
4. Allocate time for all the things you want to do. If you always wanted to join the gym, allocate time and do it. If you want to have a weekly date with your partner make a time slot for it and do it.
5. Review your schedule and decide what is negotiable and what isn’t. If you find you need to use one of your personal life timeslots to do something for work, reschedule your personal life slot straight away.

Dealing with your life as a whole and not just your work life, makes sure you are in control, rather than feeling powerless and as if you’re postponing life. You may often hear people say, “When the kids grow up I will...”, or “When I retire…” Life can't be postponed as we never really know what’s ahead of us. You will feel more satisfied at work when you make time for things you want to do, because you will be doing what you want to do and not just the things you have to do.

Manage your tasks at work
In all jobs there are some tasks that are essential to success. You need to clearly identify what they are for your particular job. For managers, it might be to inspire, develop and coach their teams. For recruitment consultants it may be to call clients and to source and refer candidates.

1. Identify the three critical tasks in your job. Allocate time to them and do them consistently. If you think there are more than three critical tasks you may need assistance in defining them. Ask your manager for help.
2. Delegate peripheral tasks, or schedule time to do them once your critical tasks are done. If you’re a red-hot business development person for instance, most companies will hire an admin person to assist you.
3. If you are constantly doing non-critical tasks, such as admin, when you’re supposed to be selling, acknowledge this as the task avoidance that it is and seek help to overcome it. Speak to your manager, and if they can't help you, consider getting a coach.
4. If you know what you need to do, but don't have the skills to do it, consult with your manager. If they can't assist you, consider finding a mentor.

Don’t wait to start managing your tasks, start immediately, and not when you think have time to.

impact

Impacts on retirement plans by financial turmoil

The impact of recent stock market declines on superannuation savings is leaving many older employees uncertain about whether they can afford to retire and stop working altogether. While they are looking to their employers for practical help in preparing for retirement, many employers are failing to deliver. For employers this means facilitating financial advice and education as well as flexible working arrangements.
Recent research, which surveyed 600 employees and 150 employers, has found that more than 40% of employees aged 50 and over are unsure how much they will need in retirement, and one in four expect to delay retirement until their 70s. Nearly half of employees aged 50 and over were dissatisfied with the benefits on offer to them.

Financial advice, guidance and education were top on the list when these employees were asked how their employers could best help them prepare for retirement. While employers recognise the value of helping employees prepare for the transition to retirement, less than one in three are actually doing anything about it, and there is a lack of discussion between employees and employers on succession planning.

Older employees are looking for ways to reduce the number of hours they work while continuing to receive an income. At the same time, employers are competing for talented people in a tight labour market. But, in a tight labour market the right mix of benefits can help draw and keep talented people.

Communicating in critical times

Take the lead. Leaders don’t have to have all the answers. Tell employees what you do and don’t know. Explain the steps being taken to identify issues and resolve problems. Knowing that senior executives are there to lead through uncertain times is highly important to employees.

Show your strengths. Reinforce the values and competencies that maintain your organisation’s success. Talk about how they will help the organisation do well in the future.

Be visible. Only actual presence can convey credibility, conviction and passion and these are important messages to communicate. Webcasts or other interactive mediums showing engaged and informed senior leaders benefit employees.

Use your team. Make sure the management team knows how and what to communicate, and that no-one is a bystander. Limit potential damage from leaders’ informal conversations that may be overheard and can ripple through the organisation.

Co-ordinate. Make sure your internal and external messages are co-ordinated. Employees should hear company news from the company first.

Share responsibility. Be clear about what you want your managers and your workforce to do. People want to help – let them know how to. It’s always an appropriate time to reinforce customer focus.

Find ways to hear to what’s on employees’ minds. Monitor the press and social media for what’s said about your company and your industry. Have a process in place for quickly responding to rumours and to clarify any inaccurate information, such as possible layoffs.

Be humane. Some employees are really hurting over falling account balances and home prices. Acknowledge their hurt and ensure they’re aware of available resources, such as the company’s Employee Assistance Plan if there is one in place.

temp

Temp of the month

After a number of fabulous nominations over the past 6 months we are pleased to confirm that this month’s winner is Lorenzo Ruru! Lorenzo has worked with Beaumont Consulting for 10 and a half months as has received some amazing feedback on the way. This week was Lorenzo’s last week before being made permanent by his employer, Network Services.

This is what his manager had to say about him………

“My champion is Lorenzo Ruru. I am new to the company and immediately recognized the calibre of Lorenzo. In this short time I have bombarded him with numerous tasks, well outside of his job description. He has accepted all requests graciously and finished all on time. He has an excellent phone manner and stands out with his professionalism and willingness to ensure customer satisfaction. He is open to new ideas and eager to contribute solutions (don’t you just love solutions not problems!!) I think he is a worthy winner of the Monthly Award.”

What a lovely nomination Lorenzo, you really are a true star and we will miss you being part of our successful team. Good luck and enjoy spending your well earned vouchers.

nov

Whats on in November

The Rocks Night Markets - Markets By Moonlight every Friday night in November

Glebe Music Festival - 8th - 30th November

Newtown Festival 2008 - 9th November

HarbourKeepers in the City foreshore clean up - 23rd November

Earth Festival 2008 - 29th November