PushPrint presents…. presents, palate-teasers and places!
Posted on 13. Dec, 2011 by Graham in Headlines and Opinions, Uncategorized
It’s that time of year again! Our work projects finish up, our minds and bodies wind down, and an entire year of hard labour finally seems worthwhile… how will you spend your December holidays?
Whether you’re planning to entertain loved ones at home or abandon the nest for some exotic locations, make sure you make your time off count! To help you make the best out of your free time, PushPrint is giving you the gift of amazing gift recommendations, holidaying suggestions, and fun food and alcohol recipes – all in one place, so that you don’t have to waste time looking around.
GREAT & GLAMOROUS GIFTS
Courtesy of ELLE magazine and Stuff magazine
shoX maxi
R249.95 |www.tevo.co.za
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Build your beat with the shoX maxi – these battery powered, full bass speakers can be connected to each other using linX technology. The combined result…jaw-dropping party sound.
Available in black, silver, white, turquoise and pink at leading retailers or directly from Tevo. |
Spitz luxury footwear
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As the luminous Coco Chanel said, “Shoes are the ultimate accessory of fashion. They herald your arrival and prolong your departure.” It is this belief that South Africa’s leading luxury footwear emporium, Spitz, continues to uphold. Visit Spitz for premium brands including the likes of Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Chloé, Kurt Geiger and Lacoste. |
The iLUV ArtStation Pro
R2 000 | sales@cortechsa.co.za
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Dynamic and cinematic sound quality to heighten your Galaxy Tab/iPad/iPhone/iPod experience.
Sit back and enjoy rich audio clarity and balance that can only come from Enhanced jAura Sound Technology. |
Holiday Skin™ Firming
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Protect your skin from dangerous UV rays and opt for Holiday Skin™ Firming from Johnson & Johnson. With its light selftanning agents, it gradually builds an even, natural-looking tan without the streaks. Plus, it firms skin to leave you u looked toned and G tanned and feeling silky soft. |
MAGIX Music Maker MX
pxsoftware.co.za
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Make music with MAGIX Music Maker MX that will captivate your audience.
Thanks to the sound building block principle, useful help videos and endless opportunities, you can develop your own songs and share them with friends. Make innovative sounds and catchy melodies even without prior skills. Your own song is only a few clicks away! |
Guess red skinny jeans
R699
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In the early 1980’s denim lacked a fashion edge. The Marciano’s saw this as an opportunity to combine their European style with a traditional American fabric. They changed the perception of denim forever by creating a line that was sensuous and innovative. Today, the Guess brand continues to remain timeless. Your Guess summer must-have: red skinny jeans. |
E5 Wireless Modem
R1 500 | www.huaweidevice.com
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Huawei’s E5 Wireless Modem sets a new standard for mobile internet access. The E5 can create a wireless network anywhere you go, allowing you to access the internet using multiple devices whenever you like. |
ELLE sunglasses
www.moscon.co.za
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The cosmopolitan, fashion-conscious woman knows how to reflect future trends – by donning a pair of stylish ELLE sunglasses. With their oversized lenses and graded lens colours, ELLE sunglasses are available at leading optometric outlets and selected sunglass boutiques. |
The Big Blue Tissot Seastar 1000
R11 450 | www.tissot.ch
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Diving equipment has never been so coordinated – both visually and technically. The new Tissot Seastar 1000 in trendy ocean blue merges style and performance without diluting either. It maintains its performance underwater to a pressure of 30 bar, proving that a passion for underwater sports and a preference for a sophisticated Swiss automatic movement are totally compatible buddies. |
Philips DCM580 Docking Entertainment System
R2 999 | www.philips.co.za
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Enjoy wider, immersive sound with the Philips Docking system DCM580. The tower design supports iPhones/iPods, CDs and USB devices. LivingSound technology distributes sound evenly throughout the room for the optimum listening experience. |
RICH & RARE RECIPES
Courtesy of Sunday Times Food Weekly
Candy Floss Dream
Makes 1
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Ingredients:
1 10cm x 10cm ball of candyfloss Method: Place candyfloss into martini glass. Combine vodka and cranberry juice in a shaker. Add cubed ice and shake. Slowly strain over the candyfloss and watch what happens. |
Tandoori Pink Salmon
Serves 4
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Ingredients:
30ml (2tbsp) ginger garlic pasteJuice of 2 lemons Method: Mix the garlic and ginger paste, lemon juice and a little salt and spread all over the salmon. Leave to rest for 5 minutes. Mix together chilli powder, chilli paste, garam masala, mustard oil, yoghurt and caraway seeds, and season with salt. Spread all over the fish. Leave to marinade for 10 minutes. Chargrill the salmon under a pre-heated grill or in a hot-griddle pan, basting with butter. Sprinkle with chat masala and serve with trimmings of your choice. |
Spanish Chicken Chorizo Skewers
Serves 6
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Ingredients:
600g chicken thigh fillets cut into 2cm pieces Method: Combine the chicken and pepper chunks with the oil, garlic, smoked paprika, lemon juice and sugar. Toss to mix and leave for an hour. Toss the chorizo chunks in the brandy, thread the chicken and pepper onto kebab sticks alternating with chorizo chunks. Grill over the coals turning frequently. Just before the kebabs are cooked through, douse with a generous slug of brandy, stand back as the brandy will burst into flames. Remove from coals and serve. |
Bloody Mary
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Ingredients:
50ml (2 tots) of vodka Method: Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a high-ball glass over ice-cubes and serve with a celery stick |
DELIGHTFUL & DARING DESTINATIONS
Turkey
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Istanbul is one of the most important tourism spots not only in Turkey but also in the world. There are thousands of hotels and other tourist-oriented industries in the city, catering to both vacationers and visiting professionals.
The charm and character of Istanbul lies in its endless variety and jumble of contradictions. It’s fascinating history has bequeathed the city a vivid inheritance of Byzantine ruins, splendid palaces, ancient mosques and churches, hamams (bath-houses) and exotic bazaars. Modern Istanbul exudes trendy bars and nightclubs, western boutiques, office blocks, and elegant suburbs. The call to prayer heralds the start of each day and the city comes to life with over 11 million residents forming a chaotic social and cultural mix of unscrupulous carpet merchants, wealthy shoppers, religiously veiled women and destitute beggars. Joining the noisy throng are over-awed tourists and those capitalising on the tourist trade. |
Chile
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Chile a great diversity of natural landscapes, from the Mars-like landscapes of the hyperarid Atacama Desert to the glacier-fed fjords of the Chilean Patagonia, passing by the winelands backdropped by the Andes of the Central Valley and the old-growth forests of the Lakes District. Easter Island and Juan Fernández Archipelago, including Robinson Crusoe Island, are also major attractions.
Many of the most visited attractions in Chile are protected areas. The extensive Chilean protected areas system includes 32 national parks, 48 natural reserves and 15 natural monuments. |
South Korea
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The Korean Peninsula is located in North-East Asia. It is bordered by the Amnok River (Yalu River) to the northwest, separating Korea from China, and the Duman River (Tumen River) to the northeast which separates Korea from both China and Russia. The country itself is flanked by the Yellow Sea to its west and the East Sea to the east. There are several notable islands that surround the peninsula including Jejudo, Ulleungdo and Dokdo.
Social relations may be grounded in ancient Confucianism but South Korea is most decidedly a forward-thinking country thanks to its hurry-hurry approach to everything, an insatiable appetite for technological advancement and an indomitable can-do attitude. No one knows where the country is headed, but it’s fast-forward all the way. That’s what makes South Korea so exciting and at times unnerving; it’s a country of endless possibilities. |
South Africa by train
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Shongololo Express provides a very special touring experience for travellers. From a warm welcome and transfer to the train at the start of the journey, to an exciting and varied program of touring, superb breakfasts and dinners on board, and a lounge full of new friends each evening – all these combine to create an unforgettable holiday.
The trains travel comfortably and securely during the night to the next stop on the itinerary and you awake each morning to a fresh vista on Africa and the anticipation of new and exciting adventures. In this way Shongololo guests can make the most of every precious holiday hour. See www.Shongololo.com for details. |
AMARA 2011 results Recruitment and HR professionals lauded
Posted on 16. Nov, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News
Avusa Media Annual Recruitment Awards celebrate backbone of SA’s economy
Monday, 14 November 2011, Cape Town: In honour of the leaders within the recruitment and HR industries who help transform and bolster South Africa’s economy, Avusa Media hosted its second Avusa Media Annual Recruitment Awards (AMARAs) – a formal affair held at Scarlet Ribbon in Stoneridge Mall.
“Recruitment and HR professionals can easily be regarded as the backbone of our local economy,” says Natalie Stephan, Head of Trade Marketing and CRM at Avusa Media. “They help drive the transformation and growth from the ground up – across the length and breadth of South Africa, yet they receive little or no admiration for their part in the greater picture.”
Identifying the lack of recognition recruitment and HR professionals receive from their peers as well as the industries they drive and help mould, during the month of September 2011 Avusa Media called upon the public and industry leaders to nominate both their private and public sector candidates worthy of winning an award in their respective category at the 2011 AMARAs.
“The results gathered from the 2011 AMARAs nominations are testament to the work that has been done to encourage those in recruitment, business and advertising to nominate worthy candidates in each category whilst also promoting the recruitment and HR professions,” adds Stephan. “It’s evident from the nominations received that more and more industry leaders are aware of the impact recruitment and HR professionals have on their businesses.”
The winners announced in the Private sector categories are:
- HR Director of the Year (Private)
Dr Barney Delport at Nationwide Security Holdings (Pty) Ltd. – SMADA Group - Recruitment Officer of the Year (Private)
Ilze Johnston at Anglo American Platinum - Most Creative Recruitment Advertisement of the Year (Private)
Ayanda Mbanga Communications for Shoprite - The winners announced in the Public sector categories are:
HR Director of the Year (Public) - Dan Vukela at Department of Environmental Affairs
HR Officer of the Year (Public) - Anker van Tonder at Eskom Holdings
Most Creative Recruitment Advertisment of the Year (Public)
Human Communications for National Treasury
Nominations for the Recruitment Advertising Agency of the Year and Recruitment Solutions Agency of the Year awards were open across both the Private and Public sector and saw Ayanda Mbanga Communications and DAV Professional Placement Group trumping the competition respectively.
Last but not least was undoubtedly one of the most deserved wins on the night – that of the Publisher’s Award which went to recruitment stalwart Paul Brand of The Niche Agency in Johannesburg.
“Paul is one of the leading recruitment professionals the industry itself has had the honour of recruiting,” explains Enver Groenewald, general manager of Advertising Revenue and Strategic Communications at Avusa Media. “Besides his outstanding reputation within the industry, Paul also seamlessly demonstrates what true dedication and passion for one’s profession really looks like.”
The full list of winners – listed in order of first, second and third place – follows:
HR Director of the Year (Private)
- Dr Barney Delport at Nationwide Security Holdings (PTY) LTD – SMADA Group
- Robert Goff at Sanlam
- Philip Grobler at Deloitte & Touche
Recruitment Officer of the Year (Private)
- Ilze Johnston at Anglo American Platinum
- Belinda Coetzee at DAV Professional Placement Group
- Shantal Singh at Clientèle Life
Most Creative Recruitment Advertisement of the Year (Private)
- Ayanda Mbanga Communications for Shoprite
- Human Communications for BIC
- Human Communications for Lonmin
HR Director of the Year (Public)
- Dan Vukela at the Department of Environmental Affairs
- Anton Grobler at the University of South Africa
- Njabulo Mashigo at the National Treasury
HR Officer of the Year (Public)
- Anker van Tonder at Eskom Holdings
- Chuene Nong at Limpopo Department of Agriculture
- Shirley Tjiane at Land Bank
Most Creative Recruitment Advertisement of the Year (Public)
- Human Communications for the National Treasury
- he Working Earth for Denel
- Gear Advertising for University of Zululand
Recruitment Advertising Agency of the Year
- Ayanda Mbanga Communications
- Human Communications
- Strategy Recruitment Marketing
Recruitment Solutions Agency of the Year
- DAV Professional Placement Group
- Morvest Human Capital Management
- HMD Staffing Services
Publisher’s Award
Paul Brand at The Niche Agency
Much more than an ad
Posted on 16. Nov, 2011 by Graham in Headlines and Opinions
It’s innovation, not investment, that determines the success of a recruitment advertisement. This became clear from a recent advertisement campaign developed by Paul Brand of The Niche Agency for Deliotte.
The full-colour advert, placed in the Careers section of the Sunday Times, was made up of very little copy (which included company name and advertised position) and a hash tag. The idea behind the campaign was to entice relevant candidates to take a photo of the tag via smartphone, which would route them to Deloitte’s website via their phone browser.
The large number of readers who interacted with the advert, a total of 344, illustrate its success. “Monitoring the amount of responses received is very beneficial to the company recruiting,” says Brand. “But there are many more benefits besides.”
Brand says that the ad was also very economical. “Deloitte’s investment was a 36ccm (12cm x 3 coloumns) ad, and it was used to route potential candidates to the website, and the hash tag worked as a ‘filter’ discouraging lesser-qualified respondents.
“Although recruitment advertising can be expensive,” he says. “It is more costly to have an advertisement that lacks the necessary innovation to successfully motivate a response from your target.” So, how is this achieved?
According to Paul, the key question a company should ask itself when conceptualising the advert is, “What can we offer the ideal candidate above what their current position satisfies?” This answer will form the basis the advert’s message. Once this is determined, innovation is required to make the necessary impact.
“Innovation is important. With innovation comes colour, illustrations and smart copy,” Paul advises.
Paper to pixel
Paul firmly believes in newspaper’s ability to attract the attention of top-class talent, however, there is an increasing trend to gather information from online sources. “There is certainly a large volume of job portals online, all carrying sizeable numbers of recruitment ads,” he says. “But the new trend will be niche recruitment advertising. This concept enables you to reach out to high-calibre candidates that are not actively seeking job opportunities – without them actually knowing you’re targeting them.”
Recruitment ads are increasingly pointing potential candidates to websites. “Incorporating online with print reduces cost and these kinds of adverts should not be viewed as extra spend,” Paul says. “In fact, it should be the first port of call when a vacancy needs to be filled. Typically, HR resort to recruitment advertising only once all other channels have been exhausted,” he points out.
And if a job advertisement hasn’t worked, don’t just try a different medium or a bigger ad, Paul continues. “You need to re-visit the ad because clearly, you have done something wrong. An ad doesn’t have to be big or clever to motivate.”
Rather than using the cheaper medium, Paul suggests using the ‘right’ medium. “Eventually you will have to go there anyway” he concludes.
Retention requires respect
Posted on 16. Nov, 2011 by Graham in Headlines and Opinions
A recent global survey conducted by Regus indicates that South African workers consider respect towards all members of staff to be the most important ingredient for a happy business culture (56%).
The verbal acknowledgment of others (52%) and the encouragement of skills and knowledge sharing (48%) were voted second and third most important factors. Positively sharing in colleagues’ successes was nominated by 36% of respondents.
Therese Meyer, commercial director of Regus Africa and Middle East, noted, “Aside from salary increases and material bonuses, simple steps like showing respect for all staff, making a point of congratulating staff on good work and helping colleagues develop by encouraging skills and knowledge sharing contribute to creating a more human and wholesome environment that staff are not easily tempted to abandon.”
For keeping your employees happy over the long term, Anna Malczyk, member of the academic department of GetSmarter, a specialist online training firm, shares a few basic principles:
Make it fun
People spend most of their waking time at work, so invest in making your company a place where your employees want to be. This could entail anything from planning “family days” and inter-departmental competitions, to simply providing a basketball hoop or a pool table for the staff common areas.
Some companies allocate a “fun budget” to each team to use as they decide – a team dinner, an afternoon playing paintball, or a day at the spa. There are many options that provide a chance both to relax, and to create stronger team bonds.
Show them they are appreciated
Everybody wants to know they are valued. Showing appreciation for your employees’ efforts may be your most significant step towards improving job satisfaction. Make an effort to publicly acknowledge excellent work – perhaps in a staff meeting or company newsletter.
Appreciation is not only about work – employees need to be valued as individuals too. Take time to get to know your staff and to find out what is happening in their lives. Celebrate staff birthdays and other milestones. Make them feel that they belong and are valued for who they are, not just the work they do.
Encourage good relationships between management and staff
An employee’s relationship with their immediate boss is the most important workplace relationship. Feeling that their manager cares is the greatest indicator for whether an employee will stick with the company.
A good manager will be willing to take action on behalf of employees. If an employee comes to them with a concern, they should listen attentively and then take steps to improve the situation.
Managers also need to give their staff sufficient feedback. Even employees who are doing well need to hear how their managers feel about their work.
Be flexible
Increasingly, companies are creating flexi-time options for their workers. Single-parent households are more common and businesses are realising that some people simply cannot work during traditional hours. Allowing staff to use their most productive times means the work gets done, and also makes the company more attractive to employees than conventional companies.
Sometimes staff may be able to do their work from home as effectively as at the office. In these cases, allowing this option not only makes employees happy, but has the added benefit of saving the company rental and maintenance costs, as less office space is needed.
Hire well
One of the most important factors in making sure employees will stick around, is hiring the right people in the first place. When interviewing, look not only for people with the right qualifications and competencies, but also the right personalities. Just as not everyone would be happy in a formal, 9-5 environment, not everyone is comfortable with team-building games or casual Fridays. Don’t waste time or money hiring and training someone who won’t suit your company culture. Rather wait for that person who will not only do the job well, but who will become a part of your work family.
Avusa Media LIVE received accolades from its peers in the digital world.
Posted on 16. Nov, 2011 by Graham in Avusa Media News
The annual Bookmarks Awards took place in Cape Town on Thursday, 10 November.
In the Product Awards category, which covers all forms of digital marketing and user experience, Times LIVE came home with a bronze Bookmark for Publisher: Mass Appeal. No Gold Bookmarks were awarded in these categories.
Times LIVE’s’ sister website Sowetan LIVE got bronze in the Editorial craft award section.
Avusa Media LIVE was nominated for “Best editorial team” along with News24 and Daily Maverick. There was no winner in this category.
The Bookmarks Awards “recognise the very best in Digital – the pioneers, the change-agents, the ones that make a difference and raise the industry standard.”
These awards focus on measurability and performance – “so really it’s our readers we have to thank. Without you we wouldn’t have done it.”
Personality Profile – Ayanda Mbanga, Deputy Group CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi
Posted on 16. Nov, 2011 by Graham in Personality Profiles
Ayanda Mbanga qualified as a Journalist with Honours at Rhodes University in 1993. She also holds a AAA diploma in Copywriting and a Unisa certificate in Marketing and Research.
She started her working career at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising in 1994 as a copywriter and in 1996 was appointed Director. In 1998, she launched Ayanda Mbanga Communications which now has offices in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Recently appointed as Deputy Group CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi South Africa, Ayanda also serves on the board of Ayanda Mbanga Communications and Heifer International. She was also one of the finalists for the Nedbank Business Woman of the Year Award in 2008.
A running enthusiast, she completed the Berlin marathon in 2011 in addition to completing the world-renowned New York Marathon in 2010 to raise money for the African Leadership Foundation.
Why is employer branding important?
Placing a recruitment advertising is critical in the recruitment process. It’s the start of how employers entice prospective applicants to come and work for them. Equally important, however, is for the employers to deliver on the promises made in the advertisement or candidates will quickly become disappointed and despondent.
Can you give a brief example of an employer branding campaign that impressed you.
In the South African market, ‘once-off’ recruitment advertisements are more common than ongoing campaigns. We recently ran an ad for our client Shoprite Checkers, which has been nominated for the AMARA’s (Avusa Media’s Annual Recruitment Awards).
How important is recruitment advert placement with regards to the type of job offered?
Like any other branding process, the actual job must deliver what the advertisement promises. Anything less is death for that employer brand.
Has recruitment advertising changed as a result of the recession?
Yes, absolutely. Employers are shedding jobs instead of appointing new people. So in the last two years we’ve seen less and less spend on recruitment advertisements and employer branding campaigns.
When is print a better option for a recruitment advert than online?
What we’ve found is that print is still the best place to start. It’s a solid and reliable way of driving traffic to websites. Over time however, more and more people will start to use the web for news updates, and this will shift the reliance from print to online. Either way, the websites will still need print to bring traffic through.
How do you balance work/life?
I’m not sure if there is such a thing really. My take on this work/life balance thing is that at any given point one thing will take priority over the other and there is always a constant shift. The key is not to have one area of your life dominating at the expense of another.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Probably my children right now. I’m astutely aware that in everything I do, I’m teaching them something. So unlike a time when I would have gone out and done whatever I wanted, I always have their best interests at heart, which forces me to try to and be a better person.
What countries would you like to visit?
I’m planning on Bali, Indonesia at the moment. I’m told it’s serene and peaceful – a totally different way of life. And that’s just what I need.
What are your favourite local brands/products?
Quality kwaito music, Nandos and Graham Beck sparkling wine.
How do you spend your free time?
With family. I also enjoy running, preferably alone. It’s the best and cheapest way to get your endorphins working while clearing your head.
