By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. I’m sorry, are these numbers right? I’m not 100% sure, I hate numbers. One of the non-threatening leadership strategy tips for women, advertised in the latest The Cooper Review post. It got my blood boiling. Don’t take me wrong, I love their sarcastic sense of office humour – and as Holly…Read more Do you climb the mountain to be seen, or to see?
Retrenched. Now what?
By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. Being retrenched sucks. Everything comes to an abrupt halt. I was retrenched myself in my previous life. And unemployed. And in-between jobs, waiting. And I volunteered. And I freelanced. And I started my own business. What I’ve learned is that whatever happens, you need to keep moving. Someone famous once said,…Read more Retrenched. Now what?
Cover letters: best and worst
By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. Cover letters give you an opportunity to set yourself apart when hunting for jobs. Sadly, only few jump to this occasion. Equally disappointing: Hiring companies and recruiters who only ask for a CV, and nothing else. I’ve been on both sides of the fence. I’ve trawled through countless applications in search…Read more Cover letters: best and worst
Striving for workplace transformation beyond lip-service
By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. How do you define your workplace? Is it the desk you plonk down at every morning, or is it standing next to a patient in a hospital bed, or perhaps the booting up of industrial machine? As an employer, is it the space that your employees share, one that can clearly…Read more Striving for workplace transformation beyond lip-service
Is it smart to prevent conflict?
By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. In 1987, the Kosovo conflict set off the disintegration of Yugoslavia. The former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia consisted of six republics whose borders were drawn along ethnic and historical lines after the Second World War: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Serbia. Serbia was further split into two…Read more Is it smart to prevent conflict?
Why CVs (resumes) will soon be a thing of the past
By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. I hope this article doesn’t flutter onto your screen in the middle of your writing or updating your CV, as that will trigger the immediate question of whether you should even bother. Recruiters, hiring managers and human resource professionals still require a CV when you apply to a vacancy. But that…Read more Why CVs (resumes) will soon be a thing of the past
What to do when change is slow, or doesn’t fit our own truth at work
By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. Change is never easy - especially not if suggested by someone else, or if it's enforced through circumstances beyond your control. And change in the workplace is a challenge to itself. Employers may introduce changes to working conditions, structures and business models as a fait accompli. Employees often wish for certain…Read more What to do when change is slow, or doesn’t fit our own truth at work
Can employers still issue fixed term employment contracts and use labour brokers?
Due to a high interest in my recent post which discusses Freelance/ Independent Contractor contracts and the definition of an employee, I asked an expert in labour law, Dr. Lukas du Preez, to discuss fixed term contracts in a South African context and from a legal perspective. Employers often ask me if it is still safe…Read more Can employers still issue fixed term employment contracts and use labour brokers?
Freelancers – independent or employed? Piercing the corporate veil
By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. A-typical work relationships that are entered into are usually all sunshine - until expectations are not met, contracts are ended and the parties involved face a legal dispute. It is standard practice to either have an employee contract or an independent contractor's contract that sets out the terms and conditions of the…Read more Freelancers – independent or employed? Piercing the corporate veil
10 avoidable slip-ups hiring managers make
By Barbara du Preez-Ulmi. Hiring managers are employees who not only manage an existing team, but also actively manage the hiring of new employees. While not all hiring managers source candidates and advertise vacancies themselves, they are certainly all involved in the selection of job applicants for interviews. They are key in conducting the interview and managing the…Read more 10 avoidable slip-ups hiring managers make
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