Recently I was asked how a “Handful of Tips” was set up. It started many years ago and it has been an evolutionary process.          In 1965 I was transferred to Wellington to train and service the Department of Agriculture Farm Advisory Officers.          I wrote some ‘how to do it booklets’. I called them…

 A good story and a joke can keep your audience interested and amused.  People enjoy a little nonsense now and then.                 Anecdotes and jokes depends on life experiences and these can vary greatly between countries and different social groups within a country.  The anecdote helps you relate to an audience. “I went to…

As we age we tend to make fewer new friends. Many of our old friends move away, or die off.           Many people work in large cities and when they retire they tend to move back to their home town because of family connections. It  may be a cheaper place to live and to buy…

It’s time to start reducing your stress and worry levels.   A relaxed approach to your work can add years to your life.             Stress is usually caused by worry, due to work pressure, personality conflicts, by worries such as money problems, or family problems.               First, you must recognise it exists before taking steps…

Sooner or later, if fortunate, you will be able to retire from work. To live comfortable you will need sufficient assets. Start saving now!         I kept working until I was 82. At that age I gave up running workshops for Asian managers.         I did not retire because of the work but because of…

Achieve More –  ODDS & ENDS 12 Try to work smarter, not harder. Smart work is the yeast that raises the ‘dough’.             To be more efficient you will need to exercise a great deal of self-discipline, get more organized, and learn to prioritize your jobs. You can do that! A Handful of tips to…

         Reading gives you new information; speech trains you for a job; writing teaches you accurate expression.           Make a special effort to improve your skills – don’t take them for granted.             Our electronic servants are fast becoming our masters therefore it’s time to improve your verbal skills.           Unless you take control…

          Success in your life will largely depend on how well you get on and communicate with other people.           There is nothing like a smile and the use of a few simple words of praise to please others.           The ability to ask simple questions and to make the time to listen carefully can…

         Unless your writing is easy to read many of your readers will not finish reading it.          Because much of today’s writing is boring and hard to read it is worthwhile revising an old blog just to remind you of a few tips.          Today we have a flood of refugees and migrants into…

         Good leaders are in short supply.          They are not born. Leadership is principally a behavioral skill and can be learned.          We should be selecting ambitious people and training them to lead.          Tomorrow’s leaders will be the ones with a broad vision, who are good communicators and have a social conscience. They…