BRYANSTON FUN DAY PHOTO ALBUM

On Friday 13th July 2007, Bryanston branches departed en-masse for a fun day out. The days events were held at Brightwater Commons in Randburg (old Randburg Waterfront). Events included a picknick (boy, did we over-eat), Adventure Golf, Socialising and finally a well-deserved drink. The day was a great team-building exercise as we spent quality time with one another from the different branches and divisions in Bryanston. Fun was had by all and after the days events everyone was energised and ready to tackle the 3rd Quarter budget.

Back Office and General branch mix

Happy Girls One

Happy Girls Two

Cinderella and her sisters (guess who's Cinderella???)

Happy faces say it all

Our diet starts next week

Working Hard - the Bryanston way

Team Nine - Hilda, Olenka, Charmaine & Lulu

Team Eight - Rodney, Natashia, Darell & Emsy

Team Seven - Natalie, Marlinie, Mandy & Jan

Team Six - Melody, Taryn, Michelle & Sam

Team Five - Lauren, Anel, Maria & Soria

Team Four - Pat, Yolanda, Kess & Tiffany

Team Three - Marie, Rowene, Leana & Andile

Team Two - Bianca, Melany, Susan & Rani Team One - Miriam, Corlene, Aldyn & Peter

Tina Nunes of Durban Finance submitted this piece by Max Lucado etitled, 'Today I will make a difference'.

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble... . I will get up. It's OK to fail... . I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference!

If you have anything motivational or articles of interest, please email them to: ianm@manpower.co.za

JAN'S NEW BLOG

We have set up a new blog to give you a direct line to our new MD, Jan Coetzee, entitled CENTRE COURT WITH JAN. Part of Jan's vision for the company is that we have a good communication line between all members of Manpower. Jan realises, that, during his day-to-day function he may not be able to touch base with each of us. Therefore, he has set up a blog where we can pose any question to him. Anyone can leave a posting with the only proviso being that it 'not be a dumpsite for complaints'. We have put a link on the Powernews site to your right. If you click on it will take you directy to the blog.

To post a question follow these steps:

1. Click on which centre you are from (choices of JHB, DBN or CT).

2. Click on POST A COMMENT.

3. TYPE YOUR QUESTION or COMMENT

4. Underneath the message click on OTHER

5. Type your name in

6. Select the ORANGE option (PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT).

Your question will then be emailed to Jan who will publish it with his answer. The process will take up to 24 hours before you see your question and answer. Remember that its an open forum for all to see. So if you wish to discuss anything personal rather email Jan directly (jan@manpower.co.za). If you wish to save the address of the blog under your favourites, the address is: http://askjan.blogspot.com/.

'OH MY HAT' - SALES DAY IN BRYANSTON

A SPECIAL COLLAGE DEDICATED TO MARIA IN BRYANSTON

GIRL SPY REPORTS

Its Monday and so its time for another chapter of GIRL SPY. This week GIRL SPY reports on a most interesting matter - that of BEAUTY AND THE BEAN.

It has come to our attention, here in Bryanston, that one of our employees, Maria Pylarinos, is carrying a heavy love inside of her. She has an unquenchable desire for the man whom she calls “the hundred present man”. Today, I am talking to Maria about the love, the loss, the tribulation the adversity…

“The Bean wisely said…. We are in the stickiest situation since Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun”

Here is an in-depth E-True Hollywood style story Interview with Maria on her love for The Bean.

Me: “Where did it all start – that fatal attraction”?
Maria: “Well, I’ve always had a thing for tall dark and handsome English gentleman. So obviously when Johnny English got released on the video, I was the first to watch it! It was love at first sight for me! I couldn’t help it, my world came together right there and then, I developed my yearning, my passion my secret….my Bean”

Me: “What do you like most about your Bean?”
Maria: “He knows no fear, he knows no danger, he knows nothing….prepare for British intelligence”

Me: I must admit, most people don’t find Mr. Bean that attractive……..
Maria: “Well, all I can say is “Beauty is in the eye of the Bean-holder”

Me: “Can you mention any other classified information about your Bean?”
Maria: “Not only IS he British Intelligence, but he also has a secret talent for race car driving. He is the weapon, the queen must feel so lucky…. God save the Bean”

Me: “What is your dream for you and the Bean?”
Maria: “I would love to, someday, have a little family with my Bean, you know….. a few Beansprouts of our own”. (Maria wipes a tear, I hand her a tissue)

Me: “So what steps have to taken to unite with your Bean”?
Maria: “I’ve written a long letter to Leon Schuster asking him, pleading with him, to make a movie sequel, entitled…. There is a Bean on my Stoep. That way, the tide of the oceans will no longer keep us separated!!!!!!! I will have to go find him so that we can be together for ever……

And then my final word: “In all my years of spying this was definitely THE most intense and heartbreaking interview I have ever conducted. Please guys, love and embrace the Bean in your life. Life is too short to be Bean-less. Make every second count!”

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

This month Powernews gets to know the new managing director for Manpower SA (Pty)Ltd, Jan Coetzee.

Star sign:

Aquarius

School:

Adelaar High School

Birthplace:

Roodepoort

Favourite Food:

Fillet steak

Favourite Drink:

Savanna

Favourite Pastime:

Tennis & family

Favourite TV Programme:

CSI & most reality shows

Favourite Music/artist/band:

80's music & Nickleback

Who influenced your life the most:

God

Who is your rolemodel:

Madiba for his wisdom & patience, Richard Branson for his vision & entrepreneurship, Roger Federer for his commitment to excellence.

Favourite Sport:

Tennis & Rugby

Which player/team:

Roger Federer & The Bulls

Family Life:

Married to Debbie and they have two daughters and two sons - Talia (14 yrs), Alexa (12 yrs), Ruben (4 yrs) and Luc (16 mnths)

Who would you have as the ideal dinner guest?

John Robbie, Margaret Thatcher & Angela Jolie (althoughI don't think my wife will approve of this one!).

Who would you least like to be stranded on an island with?

Phillip Burger (Free State rugby player) - the most annoying person that I have seen in a long time!

Personal Motto: The true measure of greatness is not being able to avoid difficult situations, but how you deal with them

NEW STARTS at CAPE TOWN GENERAL

Tasneem Jacobs

Leah Brink

JULY BIRTHDAYS

We would like to wish the following people a BIG happy birthday for July. We hope that you have a BIG month and a GREAT birthday!

Kesselinah Maleka 02/07

Ryan Alcock 10/07
Hayley Barr 21/07
Candice du Toit 23/07
Olenka Scotten 24/07
Sanet Botha 26/07
Susan Jooste 31/07

and.....

Peter Moon from Jeffersonwells 13/07

THE 'H' BRANCH

Durban General (Technical Engineering + Hospitality) is full of 'H-People'. What is 'H-People'? you well may ask. The explanation is simple, out of six personnel only one person, Sanet, name does not begin with H. In the branch we have: Hayley, Holly, Henry, Hamlet & Hilton. Uncanny isn't it?

WELCOME TO THE MANPOWER FAMILY

We would like to welcome our new managing director, Jan Coetzee, to our big Manpower family. May your stay with Manpower SA (Pty) Ltd be a long and fruitful one.

HR ISSUES with MARIE JACOBS

Manpower is experiencing tremendous growth and we are on track to exceed our quarter 2 budget. Congratulations to each one of you for your consistently high productivity levels that have contribution to our success thus far.

It is so important for each one of us to remain conscientious about our productivity levels. It is very easy to slip into an unproductive environment. I would like to highlight one of the real “thieves of time” – smoke breaks.

Companies often complain about productivity loss due to employees taking frequent smoke breaks. To make matters worse, employees tend to want company when they do take a smoke break, so, typically three or four employees will congregate to smoke together and sometimes non-smokers will join them. A 3-minute smoke break becomes a 15 or 20 minute social. The effect of this on productivity can be major.

To ensure that smoking does not negatively impact on our productivity, we should try to control the number of smoke breaks that we take. To keep productivity loss to a minimum we should:
· Consciously record the amount of time we take on our smoke breaks
· We should not encourage social chats with smoking or non smoking colleagues
· We should stick to the company designated smoking areas
· We should smoke during lunch time, or during tea breaks, before or after work
· Be a clean smoker and dispose of cigarettes and matches conscientiously

MANAGERS SOAPBOX

This month we feature an article published in The Star on 18th January 2005 featuring our very own Rowene Bowker. Rowene is asked whether GOLF DAYS ARE A FORM OF DISCRIMINATION.

A golf day for a company's top clients has been arranged and all the men have been invited, leaving the women behind to ensure the smooth running of the business.The women are unhappy that the men not only get a day off, but that the company will have spent maybe R600 or R700 per head on each of the men, for green and caddy fees, prizes, meals and drinks, etc.The women feel it is their right to also be treated to a day off and an equivalent amount to spend as they please, such as on shopping or a day at a health spa.Does this constitute discrimination in the workplace and do the women have a case?Rowene Bowker, Branch Manager of Manpower, Gauteng, says: "In the business world, golf is an established and accepted practice which plays an important role in company and client relations."I feel that companies have an obligation to their staff to be fair. Apart from the possible unfair discrimination, the other scenario where golf-playing females are excluded, while their non-golfing male colleagues are invited along for the ride, can be demotivating for the excluded staff and would certainly not be in the interests of good employee relations within a company."Lisa-Ann King, a director of Fluxmans Labour on the Move, feels that there were grey areas in the scenario, which need to be clarified."From a labour relations point of view, it could certainly be regarded as unfair discrimination if all the men went off for the day, regardless of whether they play golf or not, and some of the women who do play golf were excluded.""In most offices, however, it would be standard practice for all the golfers, male and female, to be invited," she says."In an extreme case where all the guys get invited, even those who don't play golf, but the women golfers are excluded, that could certainly be viewed as discriminatory and the women would have a case."But whether it's worth going to war over is debatable. Perhaps we need a test case to determine the merits of such an argument!" "Golf is undoubtedly one of the sacred cows of the business world and it would be a brave soul who would launch an attack against this tradition. But companies would do well to heed the advice given above and to adopt a fair and balanced approach if they don't want to end up at the CCMA or investing a good sum of money for a day at a spa for all the non-golfers!" added Bowker. By Workplace Staff