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published contributions It’s always exciting to see your name in print and when you own a business, you know it helps if someone takes you seriously enough to publish what you have to say/offer. I guess you can call this the NEAT FREAK brag-‐book, however this is not my intention. Rather, I present this to you, in the hope that it will add weight to what NEAT FREAK has to offer.
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ORGANISING YOUR CHILD'S STUDY SPACE If at all possible, a school-going child should have a desk in their bedroom so that they have a clearly zoned area for schoolwork. BUT, this desk should be as organised as you would want your office desk to be, because ultimately, a disorganised desk could lead to untidy and disorganised schoolwork. To achieve an organised desk, try following these easy steps: Ask your child how they like to use their desk. Where do they like their pens and art supplies to be? Consider the placement of items for the desk in relation to whether your child is right or left-handed. Do they have lots of paper to store? Do you keep art supplies 'stock' in your child's room? Can the desk be used to store toys as well, without them interfering with the function of the space? Consider which organisational products are available that could help organise the space. Remember to measure the space you have available BEFORE purchasing as you may find that certain items are too large or small for the space. Think out of the box - can you use space under the desk if it doesn't have drawers? Can you place shelves on the wall for books to get them off the desk? Can you use notice boards to give a 'zone' for school notices and your child's artwork? Once you have everything you need, divide the items for the desk into zones, e.g. stationery, paper, books, toys, CDs etc. Place these in the zones you have identified and pack away into the products that are going to keep it all tidy. LABEL the folders, trays and whatever else you have bought so that YOUR CHILD knows what goes where and therefore can tidy up after themselves!
These tips brought to you by Neat Freak with a wide range of organisational products now available online!
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TEACH YOUR KIDS TO TIDY UP
Following on from the concept of teaching your children to be responsible for their school activities and homework, I also think children need to be taught how to tidy up. Here are a few tips:
Break it down into small steps . My son actually brought this tip to my attention because I would rattle off a set of instructions and he would forget the first thing I said and only do the last! Instead of saying “tidy up that desk”, you could ask your child to put all the books away first - then all the pens away – then the crayons, and so on. When your child completes one task, give them a ‘high 5'. Boosting their confidence will probably motivate them to carry on. Think of ways to make tidying up fun. For example, my son loves toy cars so perhaps he could drive them into the box whereas my daughter just loves music. So for her, I often tell her to put music on whilst she is doing something. BUT, the only problem with making it fun, is that sometimes it makes my children play with the stuff instead of putting it away – so you'll have to keep your eye on that! Encourage children to do every day tasks around the house , such as washing the dishes or cleaning the bath after they have used it. I think that because most families in South Africa have the luxury of a domestic worker, children take a clean and tidy house for granted. They seldom see the cleaning happening, and are unlikely to participate in the cleaning either. (The exception is perhaps the child in boarding school, who has to be responsible for their things and space.) By teaching your child how to clean and encouraging them to do certain tasks around the house, they will be less likely to mess it up because they know what it takes to keep a space clean. Lead by example. It stands to reason that if you don't tidy up after yourself, your child will do the same. So don't be confused when they don't listen to you. Fortunately behavior and habits can be unlearnt, so as the parent, you will have to take the lead. For example, start putting the dishes away after dinner and include your child in the activity. If you see it as an opportunity to spend time together, it won't seem like a chore but rather, a time to converse and catch up on the day's activities. Introduce simple systems for your children , ones that they can manage themselves. For example, if your child has lots of toy animals, get a box for these and label it (with a picture if the child doesn't read yet). Teach your child to put the toy animals back in that box each time. Do the same for other toys in the room (and even paper and drawings). This way you AND your child know where the items go and your child can be responsible for these. Remember: If your systems are too complicated, your children will get overwhelmed and not keep to it. To avoid any confusion, spend time with your child explaining how to use their things and why it is important to put them away.
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September 2009 Newsletter
PUT THAT SPRING BACK IN YOUR STEP After a cold winter, we are all looking forward to warmer weather so that we can shed the layers of clothes and coats, and get ready for the bikini weather. Spring is in the air and it feels awesome. But with the change in weather, should come the desire to spring clean and organize ourselves but for some, this is easier said than done. As such, I would like to give you some tips for spring cleaning that should put the proverbial ‘spring’ right back into your step. 1. Write down on separate pieces of paper a list of all the things you need to do in the home/office that would go a long way to making you feel better about that space. This could be admin and filing that has accumulated and really needs to be sorted before the taxman comes for you, or it could be your dining room that has become the family’s dumping ground (you know you have a table but you haven’t seen it in a while). 2. Write down a schedule for the tasks so that you don’t get over-‐whelmed and abandon ship before you’ve even begun. Even if you only do the assigned task for one hour a day, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Monday: De-‐cluttering & placing items into piles so you can deal with them. Tuesday: You have undoubtedly awoken the dust mites so start dusting, vacuuming and wiping (inside and on top). Wednesday & Thursday: Organise through the items in those piles. Friday: Rearrange the items you’ve sorted through. Saturday: Wash and launder where you can. Sunday: Decorate (and buy yourself a bunch of flowers for the effort). 3. When you are going through the scheduled tasks (which you can adjust to fit a week-‐end), do whatever it takes to stay motivated. If you love music, play it load and dance around if you want. It is spring; you’re allowed to misbehave a bit!
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4. Don’t hold on to things you know you will not need. You haven’t looked at it since you were given it for your 21st birthday and you don’t actually like it, so donate it to someone who may. If there are items to throw away, please consider recycling. Find out where the nearest recycling depot is before you start and dump it as soon as you’re done otherwise things may find their way back into the space. 5. Prepare for your spring clean before you begin. As with any task, there are ‘tools’ that are required. Make sure before you begin that you have rubbish bags, cleaning supplies and you have an idea of who you can donate items to. Have empty boxes available or even containers that you can use for dividing items up in cupboards and drawers. If you don’t have what you need, you may get seriously frustrated and decide to throw in the towel. 6. Label, label and label some more! This sounds so ridiculous but I cannot stress enough how much it helps when you know just by looking at the container what is in it. 7. Think out of the box about the layout of your spaces. Consider your options. The best thing about spring-‐cleaning is that you can move things around and try new configurations. You can always put it back where it was if it truly doesn’t work. 8. Arrange for a bragging session. Before you start on your spring clean, consider arranging a dinner with good friends for afterwards. This could be another motivation for you – you can’t go backwards because you’ve invited everyone round for a brag session. 9. Open the windows and smell the fresh air. No explanation required! 10. Spread the word. If you have a friend you think might benefit from this advice, don’t hold on to it. We all need to get the spring back into our step. These spring-‐cleaning tips were brought to you by NEAT FREAK, the home of budding neat freaks everywhere. Go to www.neatfreak.co.za for more information and tips and email Isabelle if you have any questions that need some answers: neatfreak@telkomsa.net Mother City Mom is an online directory, go to: www.mothercitymom.co.za
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HOME BUSINESS Magazine Dec 2009 – Feb 2010 edition
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O Magazine Feb 2010 edition
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Essentials Feb 2010 edition
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Feb 2010
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Odyssey Mag Feb 2010 edition
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Inside Bluff & Surrounds: March 2010 edition
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Fit Pregnancy April/May 2010
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East Coast Radio LIFE Online Mag: 1st April edition
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Newsletter: 14th April edition
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Inside Bluff & Surrounds: May 2010 edition
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ECR LIFE: 7 June 2010 th
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Longevity Mag: July 2010
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ECR LIFE: 5 July 2010 th
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The Mercury: 28th July 2010 ADVERTISING FEATURE
14 Wednesday July 28 2010
THE MERCURY
2010 Regional Business Achievers Awards Businesswomen’s Association Durban recognises its 15 finalists THE Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) is the largest and most prominent association for business and professional women in South Africa. It has seven regional branches, each of which conducts its own Regional Business Achievers Awards to recognise the achievements and contributions made by local businesswomen. These awards, which have been presented since 2001, actively seek to identify, acknowledge and cultivate small businesses and professional practices, many of which are run by previously disadvantaged women.The awards also serve as a platform for these emerging businesswomen to aspire to be nominated for the Businesswoman of the Year Award in future. The BWA Durban Branch congratulates and applauds its 15 finalists of the 2010 Regional Business Achievers Awards.These 15 inspiring and successful women are: SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR FINALISTS GITA HARIE is the executive director of Durban & Coastal Mental Health (DCMH), the largest mental health NGO in the country. DCMH aims to assist and empower communities to achieve sustainable and real improvement, and has changed the lives of almost 40 000 people. CINDY NORCOTT is the founder and chairperson of the Robin Hood Foundation, which she founded five years ago.The aim of this foundation is to help the poorest of the poor in the greater Durban area through taking from the rich and giving to the poor. THORA MANSFIELD is a founding member and director of the Open Door Crisis Centre in Pinetown.This centre offers counselling and social services to victims of rape, incest and domestic violence.The centre also have a shelter for abused women and vulnerable children. EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR FINALISTS JANET NAIDU is the proprietor of Vulendala Tours, a tour operating company for both locals and tourists. Vulendala, which was founded in August 2007, promotes educational tours and leadership courses. HILDA TOD is the founding member and co-owner of The Bedroom, an exclusive sensual boutique for women.The boutique specialises in the art of pleasure with a goal to make women feel sexy and confident.The Bedroom was founded in November 2007.
ISABELLE DE GRANDPRE is the founder and owner of Neat Freak, whose mission is to provide its clients with holistic and personalszed organising solutions for their life and the spaces they occupy.Neat Freak was founded in November 2008. ENTREPRENEUR FINALISTS NICOLE VAN ROOYEN is the proud owner of three businesses including Sapphire Sun Distribution.Two of these businesses are managed entirely by Van Rooyen, while she is a silent partner in the third.Two are commercial fuel outlets and the third is a security business. LINKY DELISILE NYANDA is the founder of Lakeshore Trading, a 100% women-owned company which specialises in general building (in both residential and community), renovations and construction skills training. RONEL STEVENS started Speciality Papers in October 2000.The company supplies the school and office stationery market with all its requirements, and also retails art, paper, craft, educational toys and stationery products to the public.
GITA HARIE
JANET NAIDU
NICOLE VAN ROOYEN
MARY LUNDE
CHARMAINE SCHWENN
CINDY NORCOTT
HILDA TOD
LINKY DELISILE NYANDA
NOMBUSO AFOLAYAN
JUNE MCINTYRE
THORA MANSFIELD
ISABELLE DE GRANDPRE
RONEL STEVENS
CORPORATE FINALISTS MARY LUNDE is the general manager of Lusitania Food Products, a division of the Kempston Group.She joined the group in 2005 as a branch manager and was appointed General Manager in 2009. NOMBUSO AFOLAYAN is a commercial and business development executive for Vopak, one of the world’s largest providers of conditioned storage facilities for bulk liquids.She has held this position since 2008. PROFESSIONAL FINALISTS VANASHREE BEHARIE is an optometrist who currently owns two Specsavers practices, both in previously disadvantaged communities.Her mission is to provide first world eye care in an accessible and efficient manner to the communities she serves. CHARMAINE SCHWENN is a partner and director at Tate, Nolan and Knight Attorneys, Notaries Public Conveyancers.She specialises in litigation and has practiced as an attorney since 1997. JUNE MCINTYRE is a qualified occupational therapist and is currently involved in the co-ordination of the wheelchair project of the Operation Jumpstart Association.She is also a lecturer within the discipline of OT at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. LINDA NESS has been practicing structural engineering design for 23 years and started a consulting structural and civil engineering practice, Linda Ness Associates, where she offers traditional and specialist design services. OM/12/7757216
LAKESHORE TRADING 102 CC
Zibayeni Community Hall, KZN, South Africa CONSTR UCTION & RENOVATION SERVICES Since its inception, Lakeshore Trading 102 has been involved in & successfully completed a number of projects, ranging from R1.1 to R2.3 million. These achievements have not gone unnoticed as we have earned a number of awards and accolades. Lakeshore has also been updated to a CIDB grading of 5GB PE meaning we are geared to handle projects in excess of R6.5 million.
General Building Contruction
Currently (2009) our largest project on hand is Ntonjeni Primary School at R9.65 million.
Construction Training
Finalist in Business Achiever Awards 2010
Construction and Training Beyond Unexplored Territories Tel: 031 3094940 / 2 Mobile: 084 425 1735 Fax: 031 3094946 Email: deli@lakeshore.co.za
LINDA NESS
About the Businesswomen’s Association ‘A platform for the inspiration and empowerment of women’ THE Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) was formed in 2000 when three women’s organisations merged.Today, the BWA the largest and most prominent association of business and professional women in South Africa – and the voice of women in business. Through strategic partnerships with sponsors, non-profit organisations, leading companies, business schools and international associations, it provides ongoing opportunities to advance the interests of women in business. Members include entrepreneurs, professionals and senior decision makers. Both men and women are welcome to join the association. By joining the BWA, professional and businesswomen become part of a vibrant, passionate community of other businesswomen where they are given opportunities to mentor and be mentored. Here, they are able to hone their personal and professional skills, develop their networks and gain from the experience and expertise of other women in business.
Aims The BWA is a non-profit, voluntary organisation committed to offering real value in the form of leading and training, connecting and supporting members and South African business. The association aims to be a united, non-racial business organisation that helps businesswomen create connections on multiple dimensions - personal, professional and business throughout their career. It also creates opportunities for women business owners to grow their businesses. As a national association with regional branches, it also provides local and national forums where members can exchange ideas, be informed about topical issues and create business opportunities. It acts as a lobby group on women’s business issues, highlighting and publicising not only the barriers to success that may still exist, but also the many opportunities available to women in South Africa today. Through strategic partnerships with sponsors, other non-profit organisations, leading companies and business schools, it provides ongoing events and opportunities to advance the interests and needs of women in business. Businesswoman of the Year Award Since its inception in 1980, the Businesswoman of the Year Award has
Tel: 031 466 9200
With a history going back almost four centuries, Vopak is the global market leader in independent storage and handling of liquid oil products, chemicals, vegetable oils and liquefied gases.
OM/11/7757263
VANASHREE BEHARIE
OM/08/7757158
become South Africa’s most prestigious award for women in business. The award has a number of purposes, which have remained consistent over the years.It recognises and honours the achievement of South African women business leaders.It also helps to create a cadre of women role models and makes a tangible contribution to the next generation of women business leaders by having Ann Druce – Current BWA Chairman of the all proceeds of the Durban Branch annual event go to the BWA Bursary Fund. Since 1988, over R650 000 has been distributed to more than 64 women. The Businesswoman of the Year Award runs alongside the Regional Business Achievers Awards, which have been presented since 2001 at each of the seven regional BWA branches. OM/18/07757151
Tel: +27 31 466 1545 Fax: +27 31 466 1808
Finalist in the KZN Business Achiever Awards 2010.
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