“Have you a spare copy of your book ‘The Daily Tonic’, I was asked recently. ” “I am out of them I replied but I might be able to find you a spare copy.”         She said she keeps her copy on a cake stand and turns the pages over daily.         This simple booklet…

         Christmas is coming and bringing back memories.          Recently a granddaughter asked me what was my most memorable Christmas dinner.          Without a doubt, it was the day I had one stale ham sandwich for my dinner.          My best Christmas feast was in Bangkok at the Oriental Hotel. Let me tell you these…

Happy Memories :          Being perhaps the last living crew member I felt it my duty to share some memories of this special ship.          Not many ships have appeared on a stamp, on a dollar coin, in a book, and in a film.          In 1943 the 2nd World War was not going well.…

Recently the country stopped working to watch a rugby game of football. It was the final of the World Cup between New Zealand and South Africa. The winning side, South Africa, took home the William Web Ellis Gold Cup. In 1946 I visited Rugby School and took a photo of the legendry plaque inscribed, “William…

With AI (artificial intelligence) gaining momentum, jobs will  become fewer and more competitive therefore you will need new skills in the future,             Jobs will go first to those who update their qualifications and master new skills. A Handful of Tips to improve your work prospects * Keep learning new skills             Read widely.            …

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…