TempDirect
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You Are No More Than One
| Posted on October 16, 2019 at 3:55 AM |
We have one heart that gives our actions meaning
That shares our passion perhaps through words
Often our hearts lead by example
Of what we need rather than what we want
Some hearts beat with irregularity
Don't take this as a weakness
Perhaps the wearer is listening
To others and are making the effort to listen
To have an idea is to have determined that you have faith in your heart
The missed beats you had in the moment that drove you towards this goal
Are made up of experiences that perhaps, other people have induced
Remember no matter how many initials you have on your support list
You Are No More Than One
The support on your list needs to know this in order for you all to succeed.
When you grow and feel it is time to leave your team,
we have one heart that gives actions to our meanings,
I am Andrea of TempDirect, Who are you?
Creative Director Available
| Posted on August 25, 2019 at 7:00 PM |
Professional, friendly and successful Creative Director available for immediate start, short or long term.
Budget friendly hourly rate with excellent results.
Experienced in Broadcast Media.
Contact Andrea at TempDirect.
Temping - To Determine Change With Direction
| Posted on June 3, 2019 at 4:15 AM |
The Art of Change is a necessary skill that sets Temporary professionals apart from those working in permanent roles (though these roles are never 'given'). This acceptance of change, chosen by Temporaries, may be necessary to up-skill for a work assignment, or to enhance a personal ambition.
"I tend to gravitate toward people who are a bit more eccentric and creative and artistic in some ways. "creative people together to create some great work, even to share points of view on a new direction". Mark Parker
The mindset of change is learnt through experience. A little like beginning to skateboard, then going on to balance on a surfboard. Different surfaces require different approaches although require a skilled balance. Temping equips you with the tools to ride the waves of change. Personal experience has taught me that you get to find your feet no matter what surface you are given to perform on. One such example I can offer, is when working for a Media company in the early 90s, I applied for a Temporary role of CSR. My application was received, and I was contacted directly by the CEO in charge then. Rather than employing me as a Temporary, she offered me a fulltime role in the QA department. The CEOs outlook was a little different to others I had come to work with in NZ, and so was her pro-active approach to growth. Under her guidance I gained valuable insight into all the departments, studying their current levels of productivity and with the Team, suggesting where improvements for both the company, and its employees be made. During this time, there was a change in the companys CEO, and a new change of focus. The small Team in QA (who had all previously Temped) set their focus quickly on the new direction as instructed. Not long after this change, a new CEO was appointed and again, the role of QA changed. Change, Focus, Direction. In this period of growth, the direction of the sales team also changed. I was appointed the position of Direct Sales Administrator and quickly mentored the Reps through example. Door knocking, cold calling and retention. A first for me, and a new addition to my bow. This new Team were never given impossible targets, rather shown a new resilience to negative responses. Do not take criticism in business personally unless it is aimed at your shoes. Then go back in a new pair of shoes, with a couple of extra changes in your bag. No matter if you knock on a door, speak on a phone or text in a message, the surface of your chosen contact should still be fluid in the direction of your communication. I became interested in exploring communication through symbols (I had studied shorthand at school) and so I began to study Japanese calligraphy after work. This took me in my new direction and within a year I was offered a role as an ESOL teacher in Japan. I returned to NZ 18 months later with a change of career direction. I met with the CEO of my old job, and explained to him that I was to pursue work and personal experiences through Temping. He left the meeting without me but kept the door open should I return.
"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit". Helen Keller
Again I am reminded of my lessons learnt through sport. One cannot gain the competitive advantage if they remain winning in the same race. www.tempdirect.nz
Don't Let Work Hinder Your Overall Performance
| Posted on May 13, 2019 at 5:00 AM |
As a self employed person by choice, I am often guilty of allowing my work to hinder my personal performance. Whether it be writing late night blogs, or checking Social Media for updates in personal time, these habits that I have approved, have removed me from my family.
This hindrance can be caused through work commitments and/or work anxiety. At times, family life and time for me is left with little energy, as the work scales are balanced upwards in favour of productivity, and tilted downwards for time spent outside of work. A little like Jack and Jill, you eventually take a tumble. Which can be a blessing as when you get back up on your feet, you can take notice of why you lost your footing.
Running after constant work goals can cause you to take a path towards a slippery slope. You may gain friends and/or clients in the business community and loose touch of your family community. No work commitment should be all consuming, it is most beneficial when it is balanced with the needs of your own and your family's. Work can be a little like a work out on a treadmill. You either choose to join a gym and be part of the community, or you workout alone and get too set on reaching your own goals. Adjust the pace you are currently running at so that you can allow yourself enough energy to better your overall performance. Refrain from telling family and friends it 'is just for a short time until you reach for the brake pedal'. Time spent chasing the elusive dollar is better spent on your family. Like you, their time with you is not a given commodity.
"Balance is not about time spent by you with you. Gather up the minutes you took for yourself to make the hour, and then see the moments you are missing with family". Andrea Smith, TempDirect
Temporaries, keep your focus clearly on a best outcome for yourself and client. Often the temp-tation for an Agent to secure a client for a lower hourly rate than the job deserves, does not mean that the job requirements call for less skill. An astute Agent is aware of your capabilities and the client's requirements, and should place you in an assignment where you and the client have a desirable result. That way your overall performance remains at the top of the hill.
Temporaries: Every Step You Take ....
| Posted on April 27, 2019 at 6:15 PM |
will determine the move you make. How you value yourself as a Temporary around clients, when placed in a given business situation, can determine how you keep in or out of step with them.
When you start something, make sure that you're willing to take the time to finish it right because, honey, the work you put into it will be more than worth it in the end. The best things always are.
C.M. Stunich
When you first accept the invitation to work for a client, you have been committed by your agent to keep up with their pace. The agent representing you has not necessarily known the clients expectations or taken into account your skill limitations. This is where a Temporary, who cares for both the agent and client, keeps ahead of the pace. An assignment can be a true eye opener into your character. Should you be placed in a role where you are expected to perform above your skill set, you either let your agent know, and rise to the challenge and sweat it out and succeed, or you let your agent know, and step down. Whichever option you take, this should determine your longetivity as a Temporay. Please do not use the excuse you are JUST A TEMP. Either skill up or get out, whichever one you choose, do not think of it as an easy option. A Temporary should be determined to be able to better fill a vacant seat, than leave businesses thinking it were better empty. When you doubt yourself remember, doubt brings about action. Choose to rise up to the challenge. Do not leave your seat unless the band marches to it's own tune. In my experience, I have learnt that many business armies will keep in step with you when you have proven your worth. They may even leave behind a guardsman to train you. You chose, through circumstances, to be a Temporary - your ability to work through today will determine your job title tomorrow. Respect your agent. Empower your client.
Experience taught me a few things. One is to listen to your gut, no matter how good something sounds on paper. The second is that you're generally better off sticking with what you know. And the third is that sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make.
Donald Trump
Andrea www.tempdirect.nz
My Window Is A Reflection Of Your Image
| Posted on April 1, 2019 at 4:35 AM |
Business can attract a passing customer, or cause one to cross the road. What makes you attract attention may be in the image you reflect out to the passing masses.
Having moved recently from the country side to the inner city, has caused me to look at the differences that advertising has done. In my down to earth country setting, there is a magnetic sign professing my business details. The letterbox is painted similar colours to my business colours. This advertising, in its simplicity, has gained me loyal clients in the local area. Short message, sharp return. Moving into an apartment in the city, there is no letterbox to advertise my business. The existing body corp that represents the individuals of this complex does not allow any business advertising in its behomoth block. The solution, it seems, is to spend money and place advertising in local business bulletins and other media. The image of the business then changes, as the advertising no longer evokes relative emotion, rather you appear to need to have a clever, out of the box, money generated advertising campaign adorned with selfies to reflect your image out to an audience that is removed from your core, perhaps. Wording is especially important, as little says alot and not enough leaves speculation.
I have been very fortunate to be a self employed Professional Temporary. My business is in my talent for adapting to various business needs. I no longer have a letterbox outside my propety to advertise my business. Instead I must rely on the reflection my business image has in the image captured by the passing audience. The audience that moves quickly relies on a business that captures simplicity through the image they perceive to see. I am looking forward to writing articles soon, that capture the image of Temping as I have experienced it.
Watch this space. My Temping experience covers over 30 years of adapting to an image.
Andrea
www.tempdirect.nz
Abolish Cruelty to All Species To Promote Kindness
| Posted on March 18, 2019 at 4:50 AM |
I have published this article to hopefully change the mindset of senseless killings, which took place against our own kind, in New Zealand on Friday 15th March 2019.
Until there is a united understanding that all cruelty and suffering is intolerable, then it will perhaps continue.
If humans can be cruel to some species, then some reason why not to their own?
Mohammed taught " A good deed done to a beast is as good as doing good to a human being; while an act of cruelty to a beast is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being."
There are many examples of cruelty and killings to other animals that are deemed acceptable. Whether it be trapping animals that are considered pests, poisoning, baiting, hunting of another species or entrapping an animal for entertainment, how can the limited human pysche divide these actions against their own? To support the unnecessary hunting of another species (often cloaked by making the hunting to rid the world of a 'pest'), makes it possible for some people to give permisson to themselves and others, to believe that the intolerance of another's existance is quite justified. Not many human's need to hunt to survive. It would appear that domesticated human's justify unnecessary killings.
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi
When we lie in the jaws of a predator, we only do so because we have ourselves have given over to the belief that we took a risk and in doing so, accepted the outcome may be injury or death. To alter the mind we must alter the actions, we must start with asking 'what is acceptable violence and suffering', and be united in the answer is 'none'.
"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong". Mahatma Gandhi
We all carry a weapon, the choice is which do you permit - kindness or cruelty?
"Future Fit" - Adapting NZ Business To Ensure The Future Of Outsourced Management
| Posted on March 14, 2019 at 4:20 AM |
There are many phrases that are trending in business. Some of these phases describe the beliefs of a company like Nike "Just Do It", others describe the vague mindset of an individual such as "Future Fit", a term coined by a Manager in a company that says it "clearly broadcasts what the audience understand". What is distracting is that the Manager who coined this term for the business, has nothing to do with fitness, and the discussion on its "Future Fit" seemed vague on details.
A company that has its profits enjoyed by shareholders in New Zealand, enabled through content managed by years of dedicated employee experience, should know the value of having and keeping New Zealanders as employees. Many companies have outsourced their customer services to overseas businesses, however not the inner workings of the business. This is because these businesses value what made them successful. A mouse on a wheel can change direction, causing customers to become confused and frustrated with viewing content. This is turn can cause a downturn in customers and/or subscribers.
All too often businesses look overseas to invest in "New Directorship". A little like a rat on a ship, New Zealander employees are often forced to jump overboard, and the introduced species of Manager brings with it it's own kind of employee. This is turn causes a loss of knowledge of what made a great company appeal - as the "New Directorship" brings with it the urge to only survive not thrive. Let us not accept that talent in New Zealand is not valued here. The value in fitting a suitably qualified New Zealander into the future of a business is fitting, not outsourcing our Management to overseas 'talent' is befitting for a business.
All employees are equal, some should not more equal than others.
Andrea
www.tempdirect.nz
Signs to Signal or Words to Instruct?
| Posted on March 5, 2019 at 4:25 AM |
There are many forms of communication that are identifiable to all species. For the sake of this article I will call them expressions (of self preservation).
Some of these expressions have a common colour or symbol perhaps, that is used across species to repel or attract attention. As human beings have evolved, so have the forms of communication in either written or symbolic form. Which form reverberates with identifying a message the most remains to be debated - a sign or a word/s, or a combination of both Identity has long been associated with attachment. The Japanese, for example, Nissan: Of all the Japanese automakers, aside from those based on their founders names, the meaning of Nissan is perhaps the simplest of them all. The kanji ni means sun, which also happens to be the first character in Nihon Japan, which is why we refer to Japan as the land of the rising sun.The second kanji san means production. A little creative contraction, and the Japanese pronunciation ni-san literally means made in Japan. The Nike brand, with its distinct V-shaped logo, quickly became regarded as a status symbol in modern urban fashion and hip-hop fashion due to its association with success in sport. The Golden Arches of McDonalds is a symbol associated with food choice.
Red - Stop. Green - Go. Regardless of how this instruction is given, the attachment to the colour is understood for what it means. The order of the colours (Red at the top, amber between and green at the bottom, in New Zealand) alerts even colourblind people as the order of the lit colour determines the required action. Some lights have both colour to instruct as well as animation to back up the meaning.
There is the saying when one is angry 'to seeing red'. How often have you seen a person give a verbal order as well as become flushed? Red is a prompt to stop and/or listen. Amber is a warning to proceed with caution. Green (like blue) encourages flow. Thankfully I haven't turned blue yet. A raised hand to stop, a waving hand to go. Dogs have been trained to understand different hand and/or voice commands to assist for various purposes, horses trained to voice, hand and leg aids. bulls to charge red flags. Why a species associates colour/form, sound or movement with an instruction can be inherant or learnt behaviour. Signals like smoke are associated with danger and pollution. With all the signs/signals and colours to alert us to danger and/or safety, the most alarming fact is that regardless of what form/shape or noise that pollution is broadcast to us on, we ignore the signals and/or words that ask us to stop. We are putting ourselves and other species at risk by not ceasing proven negative business activities.
With our businesses, we listen to what our bottom line is telling us, to decide what action to take, whether to diminish or grow. Our businesses can only exist if we take notice and act on signs and listen to instructions. Let us treat the planet in the same way we want our businesses to flourish. Our existance is not through our businesses. Our businesses are existing due to generations of self preservation for all species that exist on it.
Andrea
www.tempdirect.nz
The Shape Of Your Office Is Not The Constraint
| Posted on February 19, 2019 at 3:15 AM |
As an Entreprenuer, whether you are working in a box or outside of the box, it is not the space that restrains you. Quite often it is the expectation of what to do with the size of the space you are confined to.
What is a place? In the full sense of the word, a place is a space where relationships are self evident and inter- recognition is at a maximum, and where each person knows here they and others belong. (Auge, 2010: 229)
Depending upon your type of business, this space may be limited by internet access (WIFI), foot and/or traffic noise, and importantly as an Entreprenuer starting out, what surrounds you in your work space. Don't fret about if you should have designer furnishings, you can make your service classy.
Entreprenuers are generally thought of as people who think 'outside the box', however it is the security of a box that one can take risks in, right? Take for example, a home business set up in a home office or garage. Most start up businesses (that do not require specialist machinery) are started up in such, as they provide a base and known cost for the action of a start up business. How you accommodate your business to fit around this space is vital for the success of your endeavour. Take for example, a virtual assistant. This business is reliant on reliable internet connection, and a lack of interruption, so the location of the start up is confined to where this is provided. At home? Then do not have your office set up in the kitchen if you can avoid it. Nothing like a dishwasher beeping or other distractions to keep you from your clients deadlines. Working for yourself to fuel your passion for the benefit of others has its challenges.
Next time you visit a cafe and note there is no seating available, take a look at the tables. Those who are huddled over their laptops are not doing a service for themselves or you. The cafe has lost a seat to a Flat White, and you are feeling flat that you cannot get a seat. Being an Entreprenuer does not give you the right to use another's space for your own gain. You must think bigger, outside the office you thought constrained you, and allow others to gain access to shared space.
Here and Now -Look around -Find a space -Decide what is interesting about it - What makes it a speclia place - How can this be revealed through performance?
Andrea
www.tempdirect.nz
