MOTIVATION – What is Your Life Purpose?
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – March 2012
Jack Canfield says “when you follow purpose, the people, resources and opportunities you need naturally gravitate toward you.”
This is pretty much along the lines of “when you are ready to learn, the teacher will appear” and greatly in line with my beliefs.
I have often noticed that as I have made a decision about something that the people that I need or the skills that I need in order to make that decision a reality, suddenly arrives on my radar. For example when I had made the decision to update and modernize my logo, I suddenly met or was introduced to a whole bunch of creative people who specialized in that sort of thing.
When I was wanting to find people to write and facilitate some of the workshops that I hold specifically for entrepreneurs, I was suddenly surrounded by teachers and writers and entrepreneurs, who are specialists in their own right.
When I wanted to secure recurring income instead of scrambling for new clients each month, I was approached by several corporates for project work that will secure monthly recurring income. How cool is that?
Here’s the thing though, in order to manifest or attract what you need you first have to believe in what you are wanting to do or achieve (even if it is only on a sub-conscious level), you have to believe in yourself and you have to believe in your dream. Once you believe in your dream you still have to start “living” it and as you do that your energy will attract what you need.
I know what I believe – do you?
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, March 12, 2012
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
BUSINESS TIPS - From Employee to Entrepreneur - Part 1
BUSINESS TIPS – From Employee to Entrepreneur – Part 1
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – February 2012
I have, of late, been mentoring several young ladies who are currently employed, but who dream of owning their own businesses. The more I talk to them, the more I become aware of the huge mind shift change that has to take place. And this is how this particular series was born.
Firstly, I would like to explore some of the differences between an employee and an entrepreneur – just so that we can all understand the basic differences and understand what we are getting ourselves into.
1. An employee is paid to work, they are paid, often irrespective of whether they put in a full days work or not. They are paid irrespective of whether they have given 100% effort or done ‘just enough to get by. An entrepreneur pays others to work and often works for free themselves. Entrepreneurs pay their staff and the bills first and then if there is anything left over they get to pay themselves. This is particularly true when they are starting out. They are passionate about the product and/or service that they are providing and need to consistently give 100% (or more) effort into what they are doing in order to build the brand and the business.
2. Employees are managed. They have someone that they report into, there is always someone else who is ultimately responsible for what they do (or don’t do as the case may be). Entrepreneurs manage others and themselves. That means that ‘the buck stops’ with them and they are responsible for everything that happens at the end of the day.
3. Employees have a specified ‘end of day’ time. Irrespective of whether they have an employment contract or letter of employment, the number of hours that they work is governed by the BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act) and they cannot be forced to work overtime unless they have agreed to do so in writing. An entrepreneur has no specific closing time – they often work long grueling hours and even through the night, to meet deadlines and get the work out.
4. Employees are only responsible for developing themselves, provided of course that they want to grow or improve themselves – many have no interest in this at all. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand not only develop themselves (and that is an ongoing challenge), but they are also responsible for developing their staff. Actually, if the truth be told, you will find that entrepreneurs try and develop everyone that they come into contact with.
I am sure that you can see from the few points that I have highlighted that the list could very well be endless. The point that I am trying to make however, is that the mindset is very different. It has to be!
This of course means that if you are wanting to start your own business and do your own thing, you have to step up to the plate and stop thinking like an employee and start thinking like an entrepreneur.
Next time we will have a look at some of the issues that you have to look at, understand and more often than not, follow.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC – February 2012
I have, of late, been mentoring several young ladies who are currently employed, but who dream of owning their own businesses. The more I talk to them, the more I become aware of the huge mind shift change that has to take place. And this is how this particular series was born.
Firstly, I would like to explore some of the differences between an employee and an entrepreneur – just so that we can all understand the basic differences and understand what we are getting ourselves into.
1. An employee is paid to work, they are paid, often irrespective of whether they put in a full days work or not. They are paid irrespective of whether they have given 100% effort or done ‘just enough to get by. An entrepreneur pays others to work and often works for free themselves. Entrepreneurs pay their staff and the bills first and then if there is anything left over they get to pay themselves. This is particularly true when they are starting out. They are passionate about the product and/or service that they are providing and need to consistently give 100% (or more) effort into what they are doing in order to build the brand and the business.
2. Employees are managed. They have someone that they report into, there is always someone else who is ultimately responsible for what they do (or don’t do as the case may be). Entrepreneurs manage others and themselves. That means that ‘the buck stops’ with them and they are responsible for everything that happens at the end of the day.
3. Employees have a specified ‘end of day’ time. Irrespective of whether they have an employment contract or letter of employment, the number of hours that they work is governed by the BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act) and they cannot be forced to work overtime unless they have agreed to do so in writing. An entrepreneur has no specific closing time – they often work long grueling hours and even through the night, to meet deadlines and get the work out.
4. Employees are only responsible for developing themselves, provided of course that they want to grow or improve themselves – many have no interest in this at all. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand not only develop themselves (and that is an ongoing challenge), but they are also responsible for developing their staff. Actually, if the truth be told, you will find that entrepreneurs try and develop everyone that they come into contact with.
I am sure that you can see from the few points that I have highlighted that the list could very well be endless. The point that I am trying to make however, is that the mindset is very different. It has to be!
This of course means that if you are wanting to start your own business and do your own thing, you have to step up to the plate and stop thinking like an employee and start thinking like an entrepreneur.
Next time we will have a look at some of the issues that you have to look at, understand and more often than not, follow.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, February 06, 2012
MOTIVATION - What Determines Your Destiny
MOTIVATION – What Determines Your Destiny
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – February 2012
“It’s choice – not chance that determines your destiny” says Jean Nidetch.
It seems that I am on the warpath again! It’s the whole thing about accountability and responsibility for the consequences of our choices and actions or non-actions.
There is this whole drive around education at the moment and like most people that I talk to – I get it! I agree with it and quite frankly, I am on board. Education is important and without it the youngsters of today are really going to battle.
At the moment though, there is this radio ad playing and despite all the good intentions, it gives the perception that the kid wasn’t ‘given a chance to get an education”.
To be fair, I haven’t heard the whole advert, but the bit that I have heard and that I keep hearing, got my blood boiling.
This kid is talking about how he went to a good school, but cut classes and started gambling and drinking when he should have been at school. He tells how he didn’t listen to the teachers and educators and therefore ‘didn’t have a chance to complete his education”. And yes, I have quoted it correctly. I have heard that bit of the ad several times over and that is exactly what he said.
What does he mean he “didn’t have a chance to complete his education”? If he went to such a good school, of course he had every “chance” that his affluent parents could give him. It was his “choice” not to complete his education.
He was unable to complete his education because of the bad choices that he made. He chose to go drinking and gambling and he should take responsibility for those choices. He doesn’t though and that’s just not the message that we should be sending out. What’s with that?
Again, I understand that the “intention” is great. It highlights the importance of getting a good education – but for me it falls very short on accepting responsibility and accountability for our actions and that is not a good thing.
It is very important for us to understand that our choices – good or bad – all carry consequences and that those consequences will affect our lives for the rest of our time on this planet, whether we actually accept them and own up to them or not.
This chap who “did not have a chance to finish his education” because of his choice (and clearly according to the ad), does not choose to complete his education now, (well that is now the perception that I have). The message sounds like he will therefore never have an opportunity to fulfill his potential or live his dream and the consequence of that is that we (as taxpayers) will continue to support him in one way or another.
Sadly, that is how this ad has been portrayed – well to me anyway.
More sadly still is that it is not portrayed in any way, that by making another choice now, a more positive choice, like going back to school or taking classes, he can correct his past and look forward to a brighter future.
You see, the fact of the matter is that we are not limited to only one choice and we certainly don’t only have one chance!
We can have as many choices as we have thoughts, but it is up to us to make the right choice and then action it.
Through my choices, I make my own chances!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of N Viljoen Consulting CC – February 2012
“It’s choice – not chance that determines your destiny” says Jean Nidetch.
It seems that I am on the warpath again! It’s the whole thing about accountability and responsibility for the consequences of our choices and actions or non-actions.
There is this whole drive around education at the moment and like most people that I talk to – I get it! I agree with it and quite frankly, I am on board. Education is important and without it the youngsters of today are really going to battle.
At the moment though, there is this radio ad playing and despite all the good intentions, it gives the perception that the kid wasn’t ‘given a chance to get an education”.
To be fair, I haven’t heard the whole advert, but the bit that I have heard and that I keep hearing, got my blood boiling.
This kid is talking about how he went to a good school, but cut classes and started gambling and drinking when he should have been at school. He tells how he didn’t listen to the teachers and educators and therefore ‘didn’t have a chance to complete his education”. And yes, I have quoted it correctly. I have heard that bit of the ad several times over and that is exactly what he said.
What does he mean he “didn’t have a chance to complete his education”? If he went to such a good school, of course he had every “chance” that his affluent parents could give him. It was his “choice” not to complete his education.
He was unable to complete his education because of the bad choices that he made. He chose to go drinking and gambling and he should take responsibility for those choices. He doesn’t though and that’s just not the message that we should be sending out. What’s with that?
Again, I understand that the “intention” is great. It highlights the importance of getting a good education – but for me it falls very short on accepting responsibility and accountability for our actions and that is not a good thing.
It is very important for us to understand that our choices – good or bad – all carry consequences and that those consequences will affect our lives for the rest of our time on this planet, whether we actually accept them and own up to them or not.
This chap who “did not have a chance to finish his education” because of his choice (and clearly according to the ad), does not choose to complete his education now, (well that is now the perception that I have). The message sounds like he will therefore never have an opportunity to fulfill his potential or live his dream and the consequence of that is that we (as taxpayers) will continue to support him in one way or another.
Sadly, that is how this ad has been portrayed – well to me anyway.
More sadly still is that it is not portrayed in any way, that by making another choice now, a more positive choice, like going back to school or taking classes, he can correct his past and look forward to a brighter future.
You see, the fact of the matter is that we are not limited to only one choice and we certainly don’t only have one chance!
We can have as many choices as we have thoughts, but it is up to us to make the right choice and then action it.
Through my choices, I make my own chances!
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Friday, February 03, 2012
HR - Getting the Status Right
HR – Getting the Status Right
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC , January 2012
Many small business owners are not sure of the correct terminology to use when employing staff, that are not employed on a permanent basis and with the new labour laws, this can and will become problematical. So let’s get the definitions correct to avoid any nasty nightmares.
Temp
A “temp” is a person who is employed on a temporary basis, usually to ‘fill in’ when for example, an employee is on leave or on maternity leave or sick leave. They are often (but not always) employed by a Labour Broker. They can also be employed over a busy or seasonal period, such as Christmas or even for a specific task such as a stock take.
A ‘temp’ is not someone who you employ on a contract for 3 months and then you renew that contract for another 3 months and then another 3 months and so on. Doing that is against the law and will ultimately land you in hot water.
Understand too, that even a temp qualifies for leave pay, sick leave and even overtime in terms of BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act). The Act (Section 20 (b)) stipulates that annual leave accumulates ‘at the rate of 1 day for every 17 worked and that during the first 6 months of employment, sick leave accumulates at the rate of 1 day for every 26 days worked’ (section 22 (3)).
A ‘temp’ is also entitled to be paid for working public holidays, irrespective of whether the contract states that they are to be paid only for the hours that they work.
The Independent Contractor
An ‘independent Contractor’ is not someone who works for you all the time and to whom you give a contract of work. It is someone who comes in and does a specific job for a specific fee for a specific time. An ‘independent contractor’ is someone like the painter that you have brought in to paint the offices. He gives you a quote, you accept it (or not), he purchases the paint, brings in the ladders and/or equipment and paints the place out – cleans up (hopefully) and issues you with the bill, which you pay. That is the end of that. They are therefore essentially a service provider or supplier.
Therefore an independent contractor is someone who:-
- Runs his own business
- Should be registered as a provisional tax payer
- Could be registered as a VAT vendor
- Will work his own hours
- Will have his own equipment/machinery
- Can work or do work for more than one client at a time
- Will invoice the employer (client) either at the end of the month or alternatively once the job has been completed.
- The employer (client) will not have to worry about the usual HR stuff such as (but not limited to) deducting PAYE or UIF or SDL or payment of 13th bonus cheques etc.
So, when you ‘hire’ someone from a Labour Broker, you need to understand that they are not an ‘independent contractor’ as they do not fall under any of the above requirements.
The Fixed Term Contract
A ‘fixed term contract’ is one that usually has an “end” date or alternatively is for a specific project.
Because of the word “fixed”, should the contract not be completed on the due date, technically speaking the contract should be re-entered into with the new termination date.
A 'fixed term contract’ is not a contract that can be extended and then extended and then extended again.
I trust that now all of your employees and/or contractors will be given the correct contracts.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen of Viljoen Consulting CC , January 2012
Many small business owners are not sure of the correct terminology to use when employing staff, that are not employed on a permanent basis and with the new labour laws, this can and will become problematical. So let’s get the definitions correct to avoid any nasty nightmares.
Temp
A “temp” is a person who is employed on a temporary basis, usually to ‘fill in’ when for example, an employee is on leave or on maternity leave or sick leave. They are often (but not always) employed by a Labour Broker. They can also be employed over a busy or seasonal period, such as Christmas or even for a specific task such as a stock take.
A ‘temp’ is not someone who you employ on a contract for 3 months and then you renew that contract for another 3 months and then another 3 months and so on. Doing that is against the law and will ultimately land you in hot water.
Understand too, that even a temp qualifies for leave pay, sick leave and even overtime in terms of BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act). The Act (Section 20 (b)) stipulates that annual leave accumulates ‘at the rate of 1 day for every 17 worked and that during the first 6 months of employment, sick leave accumulates at the rate of 1 day for every 26 days worked’ (section 22 (3)).
A ‘temp’ is also entitled to be paid for working public holidays, irrespective of whether the contract states that they are to be paid only for the hours that they work.
The Independent Contractor
An ‘independent Contractor’ is not someone who works for you all the time and to whom you give a contract of work. It is someone who comes in and does a specific job for a specific fee for a specific time. An ‘independent contractor’ is someone like the painter that you have brought in to paint the offices. He gives you a quote, you accept it (or not), he purchases the paint, brings in the ladders and/or equipment and paints the place out – cleans up (hopefully) and issues you with the bill, which you pay. That is the end of that. They are therefore essentially a service provider or supplier.
Therefore an independent contractor is someone who:-
- Runs his own business
- Should be registered as a provisional tax payer
- Could be registered as a VAT vendor
- Will work his own hours
- Will have his own equipment/machinery
- Can work or do work for more than one client at a time
- Will invoice the employer (client) either at the end of the month or alternatively once the job has been completed.
- The employer (client) will not have to worry about the usual HR stuff such as (but not limited to) deducting PAYE or UIF or SDL or payment of 13th bonus cheques etc.
So, when you ‘hire’ someone from a Labour Broker, you need to understand that they are not an ‘independent contractor’ as they do not fall under any of the above requirements.
The Fixed Term Contract
A ‘fixed term contract’ is one that usually has an “end” date or alternatively is for a specific project.
Because of the word “fixed”, should the contract not be completed on the due date, technically speaking the contract should be re-entered into with the new termination date.
A 'fixed term contract’ is not a contract that can be extended and then extended and then extended again.
I trust that now all of your employees and/or contractors will be given the correct contracts.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Monday, January 30, 2012
WORKSHOP : JOHANNESBURG : A Basic Practical Guide to Starting a Business
WORKSHOP: JHB GAUTENG: A Basic Practical Guide to Starting a Business - 22 February 2012
Getting started in the right direction will ensure a smooth transition from 'wannabe' to business owner and will allow you to focus on what you are good at - you know, getting that product and/or service to market. Ensuring that you have everything in place and working correctly, will ensure maximum productivity with minimum effort and will always affect your bottom line. Getting your processes and procedures in place will ensure that your business is built on a strong infrastructure that usually translates into a sustainable business.
The workshop deals with the everyday issues that arise when starting a new business. It saves time and energy as well as money. Time in that you don’t have to spend time in queue’s trying to get the correct documentation, or doing research on the Internet or anywhere else for that matter, trying to find out what you have to do and where you have to go in order to do it.
A Basic Practical Guide To Starting A Business is broken up into the following main titles below and starts off with the difference between a Sole Proprietor, a Close Corporation and a Company and how to register each of these entities.
- Accounting Records & General
- Banking Accounts
- Receipts and Banking
- Cheque Payments and/or Internet Payments
- Invoices
- Credit Notes
- Bank Reconciliations
- Petty Cash
- Control of Numbered Stationery
- Computerised Accounting
- Staff & HR Issues
- Security/Safety
- Money Laundering
- Filing
- Stock Control
No prior knowledge of Starting A Business is necessary for this highly effective but simple to understand workshop that promises to equip you with powerful tools to register and manage your business on a practical level.
About the Facilitator – Nikki Viljoen
Nikki Viljoen is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who has her own company called Viljoen Consulting.
Nikki has in excess of 30 years experience in this field both from a banking perspective as well as from a Corporate perspective.
Having seen a huge gap in the SMME market, Nikki started Viljoen Consulting to assist SMME’s to become compliant and to establish controls and processes and to implement structure into the smaller companies to give them greater stability, and to encourage sustainability.
Nikki’s business blog http://www.businessreality.blogspot.com/ or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za/ was recently internationally rated at 8.9 out of a possible 10. This places Nikki 5th in the world in her category. With her blog Nikki shares useful Business and Personal tips with anyone who cares to read it.
Date: Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Price: R1 195.00 per delegate (includes breakfast/lunch/refreshments and course material)
Venue: German Chamber
47 Oxford Road
Forrest Town
Johannesburg
Time: 08.30 to 3.30/4.00 pm. (Registration from 08.00 onwards). Please allow additional travelling time to combat traffic.
RSVP: no later than Monday 20th February 2012 . Space is limited therefore bookings will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
Please contact:-
German Chamber delegates please contact Shaan Padayachy on 011 486 2775 or spadayachy@germanchamber.co.za
Business Engage ( formerly Women in Finance) delegates please contact Colleen Larsen on colleen@womeninfinance.co.za or 084-353-9865.
Everyone else please contact Nikki Viljoen on nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or 083 702 8849 for booking details.
Getting started in the right direction will ensure a smooth transition from 'wannabe' to business owner and will allow you to focus on what you are good at - you know, getting that product and/or service to market. Ensuring that you have everything in place and working correctly, will ensure maximum productivity with minimum effort and will always affect your bottom line. Getting your processes and procedures in place will ensure that your business is built on a strong infrastructure that usually translates into a sustainable business.
The workshop deals with the everyday issues that arise when starting a new business. It saves time and energy as well as money. Time in that you don’t have to spend time in queue’s trying to get the correct documentation, or doing research on the Internet or anywhere else for that matter, trying to find out what you have to do and where you have to go in order to do it.
A Basic Practical Guide To Starting A Business is broken up into the following main titles below and starts off with the difference between a Sole Proprietor, a Close Corporation and a Company and how to register each of these entities.
- Accounting Records & General
- Banking Accounts
- Receipts and Banking
- Cheque Payments and/or Internet Payments
- Invoices
- Credit Notes
- Bank Reconciliations
- Petty Cash
- Control of Numbered Stationery
- Computerised Accounting
- Staff & HR Issues
- Security/Safety
- Money Laundering
- Filing
- Stock Control
No prior knowledge of Starting A Business is necessary for this highly effective but simple to understand workshop that promises to equip you with powerful tools to register and manage your business on a practical level.
About the Facilitator – Nikki Viljoen
Nikki Viljoen is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who has her own company called Viljoen Consulting.
Nikki has in excess of 30 years experience in this field both from a banking perspective as well as from a Corporate perspective.
Having seen a huge gap in the SMME market, Nikki started Viljoen Consulting to assist SMME’s to become compliant and to establish controls and processes and to implement structure into the smaller companies to give them greater stability, and to encourage sustainability.
Nikki’s business blog http://www.businessreality.blogspot.com/ or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za/ was recently internationally rated at 8.9 out of a possible 10. This places Nikki 5th in the world in her category. With her blog Nikki shares useful Business and Personal tips with anyone who cares to read it.
Date: Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Price: R1 195.00 per delegate (includes breakfast/lunch/refreshments and course material)
Venue: German Chamber
47 Oxford Road
Forrest Town
Johannesburg
Time: 08.30 to 3.30/4.00 pm. (Registration from 08.00 onwards). Please allow additional travelling time to combat traffic.
RSVP: no later than Monday 20th February 2012 . Space is limited therefore bookings will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.
Please contact:-
German Chamber delegates please contact Shaan Padayachy on 011 486 2775 or spadayachy@germanchamber.co.za
Business Engage ( formerly Women in Finance) delegates please contact Colleen Larsen on colleen@womeninfinance.co.za or 084-353-9865.
Everyone else please contact Nikki Viljoen on nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or 083 702 8849 for booking details.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
EARLY WARNING - Legal Notices - Amendments
EARLY WARNING
Legal Notices - Amendments
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting January 2011.
I got this information directly off an AA Newsletter. It says (sic):
The National Road Traffic Regulations have been amended.
The amendment is in Government Gazette 33796, Notice number 1113 published on 25 November 2010. It is called the Seventeenth Amendment and came into force on publication. A few of the amendments are listed for your information:
• New motor vehicles registered after 1 August 2010 must have number plates that are fitted with pop rivets or screws. If it cannot be fitted to the vehicle it must be fitted to a bracket that complies with SANS 973.
• As of 1 February 2011 persons who obtain driving licences for a code C, C1, EC or EC1 driving licence will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle that requires a code B or code EB licence (in old terms – a person with a code 10, 11, 13 or 14 licence cannot drive a vehicle for which you need a code 08 licence). This will only apply to new licence holders.
• Foreign licences are accepted in South Africa if the person got the licence while he was not in SA for a period longer than 3 months. Foreign licences are valid in SA until it expires in the country of issue but not for longer than 5 years after the person got permanent residence in SA
• Directional Stability Control Devices for mini and midibuses are introduced through a certification process that forms part of the roadworthy test. It applies to all mini and midibuses and not only newly manufactured vehicles.
• Left-hand drive steered vehicles: Legality is clarified - the owner of such a vehicle may, if the vehicle was licensed in his name before 23 July 2004, sell the vehicle and the new owner may licence it.
• An amendment to regulation 332 was published and lists the evidential breath testers that may be used to collect evidential breath samples and the certificate issued by the manufacturer or supplier may be used as evidence in cases by the mere production thereof.
• Management representatives of testing stations are limited to testing 150 motor vehicles per month.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Legal Notices - Amendments
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting January 2011.
I got this information directly off an AA Newsletter. It says (sic):
The National Road Traffic Regulations have been amended.
The amendment is in Government Gazette 33796, Notice number 1113 published on 25 November 2010. It is called the Seventeenth Amendment and came into force on publication. A few of the amendments are listed for your information:
• New motor vehicles registered after 1 August 2010 must have number plates that are fitted with pop rivets or screws. If it cannot be fitted to the vehicle it must be fitted to a bracket that complies with SANS 973.
• As of 1 February 2011 persons who obtain driving licences for a code C, C1, EC or EC1 driving licence will not be allowed to drive a motor vehicle that requires a code B or code EB licence (in old terms – a person with a code 10, 11, 13 or 14 licence cannot drive a vehicle for which you need a code 08 licence). This will only apply to new licence holders.
• Foreign licences are accepted in South Africa if the person got the licence while he was not in SA for a period longer than 3 months. Foreign licences are valid in SA until it expires in the country of issue but not for longer than 5 years after the person got permanent residence in SA
• Directional Stability Control Devices for mini and midibuses are introduced through a certification process that forms part of the roadworthy test. It applies to all mini and midibuses and not only newly manufactured vehicles.
• Left-hand drive steered vehicles: Legality is clarified - the owner of such a vehicle may, if the vehicle was licensed in his name before 23 July 2004, sell the vehicle and the new owner may licence it.
• An amendment to regulation 332 was published and lists the evidential breath testers that may be used to collect evidential breath samples and the certificate issued by the manufacturer or supplier may be used as evidence in cases by the mere production thereof.
• Management representatives of testing stations are limited to testing 150 motor vehicles per month.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
BLOGGING TIPS - Where to Look for Ideas - Part 1
BLOGGING TIPS – Where Else to look for Ideas – Part 1
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC January 2012
So last week we had a look at just how easy it is to turn everyday experiences into ideas for articles. Today I am going to give you some more examples of where to look for inspiration.
Using Celebrities & their Causes
We all have our favorite celebrities and many individuals avidly follow what their favorite celebrities are doing and getting up to. Celebrities also often use their status to highlight their pet projects – pretty much like Angelina Jolie uses her name to advance her projects and her position as a UN Ambassador or Al Gore who highlights Global Warming.
Using my friend Jacques the gardener again, his ideal celebrity to use to promote his business “Grow your own food” to highlight how we can all feed ourselves as well as grow our own little sustainable food businesses, would be someone like Annie Lennox or Cameron Diaz or Leonardo de Caprio, who are all very outspoken about our carbon footprints and issues around hunger and the starving poor – all of which can be addressed in some way by growing our own food.
Sure Jacques would have to do a little research on the exact or specific areas of their passions and commitments, but with his commitment to sustainable and organic food growing, there would be a wealth of information on the issues that they stand for, that he would be equally as passionate about.
I can see the article right now starting with words that go something along the lines of “Like Annie Lennox who strongly believes that no child should go to bed hungry – neither do I! Growing your own food and . . . .”
Keeping a Journal
Now I know that keeping a journal can be a real pain in the rear end – especially if it is something that you have not done all your life.
Oprah Winfrey often talks about the “gratitude” journal that she keeps and how she writes down at least 3 things every day that she is grateful for. So what about keeping a journal, either as a full journal about your business day or if that is too much, then say 3 things a day that you learnt, discovered, noticed, experienced etc. about your business?
In the case of my friend Jacques the gardener, this could be a full journal on the gardens that he works in and what works and what doesn’t (and yes all gardens are very different depending on the type of soil or how much sun they get etc.) or the project that he is involved with and how they are progressing or evolving or it could be on the things that he researched on that day and how they could change whatever it is that he needed to do the research for.
I am sure that you can see that that would open up a huge amount of possibilities and inspire a great number of things to write about.
Next time we have a look at a few more options for inspiration. Until then don’t forget to have fun with your writing.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
By Nikki Viljoen – Viljoen Consulting CC January 2012
So last week we had a look at just how easy it is to turn everyday experiences into ideas for articles. Today I am going to give you some more examples of where to look for inspiration.
Using Celebrities & their Causes
We all have our favorite celebrities and many individuals avidly follow what their favorite celebrities are doing and getting up to. Celebrities also often use their status to highlight their pet projects – pretty much like Angelina Jolie uses her name to advance her projects and her position as a UN Ambassador or Al Gore who highlights Global Warming.
Using my friend Jacques the gardener again, his ideal celebrity to use to promote his business “Grow your own food” to highlight how we can all feed ourselves as well as grow our own little sustainable food businesses, would be someone like Annie Lennox or Cameron Diaz or Leonardo de Caprio, who are all very outspoken about our carbon footprints and issues around hunger and the starving poor – all of which can be addressed in some way by growing our own food.
Sure Jacques would have to do a little research on the exact or specific areas of their passions and commitments, but with his commitment to sustainable and organic food growing, there would be a wealth of information on the issues that they stand for, that he would be equally as passionate about.
I can see the article right now starting with words that go something along the lines of “Like Annie Lennox who strongly believes that no child should go to bed hungry – neither do I! Growing your own food and . . . .”
Keeping a Journal
Now I know that keeping a journal can be a real pain in the rear end – especially if it is something that you have not done all your life.
Oprah Winfrey often talks about the “gratitude” journal that she keeps and how she writes down at least 3 things every day that she is grateful for. So what about keeping a journal, either as a full journal about your business day or if that is too much, then say 3 things a day that you learnt, discovered, noticed, experienced etc. about your business?
In the case of my friend Jacques the gardener, this could be a full journal on the gardens that he works in and what works and what doesn’t (and yes all gardens are very different depending on the type of soil or how much sun they get etc.) or the project that he is involved with and how they are progressing or evolving or it could be on the things that he researched on that day and how they could change whatever it is that he needed to do the research for.
I am sure that you can see that that would open up a huge amount of possibilities and inspire a great number of things to write about.
Next time we have a look at a few more options for inspiration. Until then don’t forget to have fun with your writing.
Nikki is an Internal Auditor and Business Administration Specialist who can be contacted on 083 702 8849 or nikki@viljoenconsulting.co.za or http://www.viljoenconsulting.co.za
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