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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
"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
You Can Change Your Mind To Keep Your Course
| Posted on December 4, 2018 at 2:15 AM |
It has been said that people are likened to creatures of habit. If this were true then those that can change their habits may be likened to creatures of change.
Life has various stages of change, similar to those of a business. When starting out, both are dependant upon the attention given to detail to thrive. The initial process may begin like many others, depending upon the health of your venture. However as the journey progresses, you may need to take another route from others before you, as growth and talent will dictate the route required to thrive. Don't fight the course of change, as long as you keep your Finish Goal in sight, then there is always more than one way to reach your destination. As your business and child grows, so should it's interests to keep stimulated. Although the business may have started out by needing your undivided attention, as it grows one must trust that it takes a village to raise a child, and so you must trust that your business can grow in a similar way. Look around you to see what knowledgeable people and trusted resources are available to allow your venture to bloom. Don't let your sights be blinded by the restraints of others. Look ahead to see where there is smooth sailing so that you can avoid the obvious hazards. Like the much pressured Titanic, when you allow your ego to rule your journey, you can run your business aground. Better to surround yourself with people who support your business, and with their best interests at heart being your venture, give it the guidance required to allow it to adapt it's journey , after all a journey shared has more to give it's audience.
A successful venture takes a community to support it. Acknowledge growth, seek support, link arms and go forth with confidence.
Andrea
TempDirect
Stooping Low to Aim High
| Posted on November 25, 2018 at 4:00 AM |
Recently I have had the pleasure of using my time away from the office to expand my work experience. This work experience is not like the type I would generally list on my CV. Instead it is the experience that I would discuss when asked what I do with my time ‘outside of work’. Working outside of a traditional office has enabled me to pull upon the resource of skills I have learnt through my Temping career, with the strengths learnt to me through great Managers, who I am fortunate shared an office space with me.
The roles I refer to are businesses where there is one Director with a few handpicked staff. These businesses require the same commitment to work and effort to meet their targets if not more than the corporates, as there is more to lose when you have little margin to err with. The tools these businesses equip you with are refreshingly simple, as are the demands. The tools are basic and adapted by the business to do the job effectively. The demands are to meet the customer’s orders in a timely manner and to a consistent, excellent standard. It is interesting that these roles require me to stoop to knee level to check the standard of work before standing high to present it to the Directors. The first few times, my knees and back ached as I was not used to using these muscles in this fashion over a duration of 3 – 4 hours. However, in order to fulfil the orders, I got on with the job and later was able to give attention to my muscles in the form of a jog after work. (I believe that when you use a muscle that is not strong, support it by giving it strength from other muscles that are). I am not one for rewarding a sore muscle with a holiday - get the holiday when you have worked up for the resistance for it.
I am delighted to now add these skills outside of the office to my work experience. I have not had to be pardoned from paid work to accomplish these new skills. I have stayed employed and contributed to both the businesses and to their customer’s demands. I have been able to give to these employers what they give to society – the satisfaction of providing great service. As with all successful ventures, the lesson is the same: To meet the customers standard’s you must understand the business’s market.
Recently I was interviewed for a role in which I was deemed well matched with experience, and which offered a lucrative income. I was advised the hours for this role would mean that I had little time to live outside of it. Should you allow one big business to take so much of you, the other bigger business that is You will receive only a little.
Get Out There and Share Your Accomplishments Here.
Andrea
TempDirect
Four Doors - In, Out, Both Ways and/or Revolving.
| Posted on November 19, 2018 at 3:50 PM |
As a new employee, the door into a company may afford other options when first starting out in work. Whether self employed or you choose to work for an existing business, the order of the ways we experience these doors may be in the above order. How one manages to negotiate these doors may be learnt through hindsight, regardless of age.
The In Door is often the first contact you have with a company. You may be greeted by a receptionist, or an automated sign in. Either of these options generate an individual recording of you. The receptionist asks for your name and reason for visit and then alerts the according person to your arrival, or the automated machine will prompt you to enter your name and reason for visit, and alert the person upon your arrival. Either way, your first impression is being recorded. No matter how many times you use the In Door, treat each entrance with the same exuberance as if it were the first.
The Out Door is often the last contact you have with a company. You may be farewelled by security, staff or an automated sign off. When you use the Exit Door leave it like you want to come back in. This acknowledgement of using the In Door and the Out Door as if the two were associated is recognition that the correct respect of these doors can lead to an opening of the Both Ways Door.
The Both Ways Door is often the Door that many employees want access to however, through indifference use of the first two Doors, entry may be difficult or denied. This Door can give you access to the building regardless of your location on site. This is because your first impression through the In Door remained constant, with the last impression that was recorded at the Out Door. When you have used both the In Door and the Exit Door with this realisation then the Revolving Door will be presented to you.
The Revolving Door is to me, the most impressionable Door of all. When you are able to access a company using this Door, it is a respect earnt from both sides. As a company, your duty was to gather data about this prospective employee, and it was the prospective employees duty to provide the company with accurate, measurable data. Make each exit through the Out Door count so that the In Door is always welcoming to you and those that you work with. This will enable the Revolving Door to make itself appear.
As a Professional Temporary the Revolving Door is the Door that I work towards having access to.
Andrea Smith
TempDirect