Jennifer Lopez Wins First City Choice Awards

What a way to start the new year. Jennifer Lopez has finally won her first People's choice award after six nominations.

47-year-old singer Jennifer received the award for favorite Crime Drama TV actress for Shades of Blue at the show on Wednesday and also won on the red carpet.

Photo credit: ET

Woman Who Killed Her Girl For Bringing Shame To The Family Sentenced To Death.

A woman in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for burning her daughter alive in a so-called “honor killing” incident.

Parveen Bibi told a court in Lahore, Punjab that she killed her daughter “for bringing shame to her family,” police spokeswoman Nabila Ghazanfar told CNN Tuesday.

Michelle Obama bids final goodbye in style

Taking It In...

USA's soon to be former first lady Michelle Obama took to her Instagram page to share a a video of her final walk through the People's House as she calls it.

Michelle Obama bids final goodbye in style

Taking It In...

USA's soon to be former first lady Michelle Obama took to her Instagram page to share a a video of her final walk through the People's House as she calls it.

Donald Trump’s inauguration's invitation

A glimpse of the invitation card for the presidential inauguration which will be held tommorow January 20, 2017.

Kate Middleton delivers a powerful speech on mental health

The Duchess of Cambridge has delivered a very powerful speech on mental health by calling for an end to stigma on mental health. 

Although we're making a lot of gains when it comes to the mainstream discussion surrounding mental illness, there's still a long way to go.

Pop Legend, Paul McCartney sues Sony Music

Pop legend, Paul McCartney filed a lawsuit against Sony/ATV Music Publishing on Wednesday January 18, 2017 in an attempt to regain the rights to a long list of Beatles hits that he either wrote or co-wrote with John Lennon.

Netflix Profit Rises 56 Percent to $67 Million

This report from the New York Times indicates, Netflix Profit Rises 56 Percent to $67 Million.

"A year ago, Netflix boldly declared that it planned to conquer the global market for streaming television, adding more than 130 countries to its service map.

Steve Harvey apologies for mocking Asian men

Steve Harvey has rendered  an apology the men in the Asian region after mocking them on his show by questioning whether Asian men are attracted to women outside their race.

Huh??? Michigan girl, 17, charged with raping 19 year old boy at knifepoint

You hear some real life stories and you find it hard to accept that it isn't fiction. This is one of such stories. A 17-year-old girl has been charged to court for raping a 19-year-old boy at knife point.

On the 11th of January, while most people were still being faithful to their new year resolutions, Lestina Marie Smith from Michigan, USA, pulled a knife on an older boy and forced him to perform oral and vaginal sex on her.

Did you know that Ellen DeGeneres has won more People's Choice Awards than anyone else?

Last night, TV host Ellen DeGeneres made history at the show by becoming the most decorated People’s Choice Awards winner ever. 

Louis Van Gaal Quits Football After A 26 Year Career

Ex-Manchester United and Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal says he has retired from coaching after a 26-year career.

Iran jails female bodybuilder for posting unIslamic photos

A female Iranian bodybuilder has been jailed for posting photos of her biceps on her Instagram page.

Harambe’s grandmother is DEAD!

Matriarch gorilla Josephine has died after  suffering from long-term health problems.

On Wednesday,  the Miami zoo which has been the  home for 49-year-old Josephine since her birth in 1967 announced her death. She was the grandmother of Harambe, the internet sensational gorilla who also suffered an ill fated death.

Around the coffee table - 4

The weekend is a day away....omg!

To borrow an adage from the Ghanaian which says "It's an abormination not to hear any news when the sun arises". This week has been quite short coupled with interesting  news and stories around the world. Starting from protest against the US-president elect ahead of his innaguration tommorow, sucide attacks in Mali, Theresa May's Brexit speech, celebrities boycotting performance at Mr Trump’s innaguration and host of others.

On the other hand I was extremely dumbfounded when a colleague drew my attention that yesterday was Wednesday and not Tuesday as I had assumed all throughout the day.

Omg!! sometimes we turn to miss the track of time.

May the weekend be good to us, cheers!

Thursday's Inspiration

Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

This Australian 94 year old woman works out ten times a week

Say what!!!

The last place you'll expect to see a nonagenarian is the gym but for 94 year old Edna Shepard, age is just a number. The grandma puts in a shift of ten gym classes a week and her energetic routines will put much younger women to shame. The former dance teacher has just been presented with an award from the Hume City Council Mayor in recognition of her incredible efforts to keep fit and healthy.

'(She's) an inspiration to us all,' Mayor Drew Jessop said. Shepard said staying fit is a lifestyle choice age can't rob her of.
'I'm always on the go, I don't like sitting around,' she said.

Ms Shepherd said she allows herself just one day off from classes at the gym, Thursdays and she even spends the off day ballroom dancing. She says she likes the social aspect of the gym classes as much as the health benefits.

'Well I like hugging the men, oh I'm a naughty girl,' she said. Ms Shepherd's fitness repertoire includes aqua aerobics classes, tai chi, ballroom dancing and one of her favourites, the fast-paced Zumba.
'I like Zumba, oh yeah that's good,' she said.
The 94-year-old said she did not see age as a barrier and had no intention of hanging up her running shoes any time soon.

Famous Bubba

Bubba was bragging to his boss one day, "You know, I know everyone there is to know. Just name someone, anyone, and I know them."

Tired of his boasting, his boss called his bluff, "OK, Bubba how about Tom Cruise?"
"Sure, yes, Tom and I are old friends, and I can prove it. " So Bubba and his boss fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise's door, and sure enough, Tom Cruise shouts, "Bubba! Great to see you! You and your friend come right in and join me for lunch!"

Although impressed, Bubba's boss is still skeptical. After they leave Cruise's house, he tells Bubba that he thinks Bubba's knowing Cruise was just lucky.
"No, no, just name anyone else," Bubba says.
"President Clinton," his boss quickly retorts.
"Yes," Bubba says, "I know him, let's fly out to Washington."

And off they go. At the White House, Clinton spots Bubba on the tour and motions him and his boss over, saying, "Bubba, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let's have a cup of coffee first and catch up."
Well, the boss is very shaken by now, but still not totally convinced.
After they leave the White house grounds, he expresses his doubts to Bubba, who again implores him to name anyone else.

"The Pope," his boss replies. "Sure!" says Bubba. "My folks are from Poland, and I've known the Pope a long time." 

So off they fly to Rome. Bubba and his boss are assembled with the masses in Vatican Square when Bubba says, "This will never work. I can't catch the Pope's eye among all these people. Tell you what, I know all the guards so let me just go upstairs and I'll come out on the balcony with the Pope." And he disappears into the crowd headed toward the Vatican.

Sure enough, half an hour later Bubba emerges with the Pope on the balcony. But by the time Bubba returns, he finds that his boss has had a heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics. 

Working his way to his boss' side, Bubba asks him, "What happened?"
His boss looks up and says, "I was doing fine until you and the Pope came out on the balcony and the man next to me said, "Who's that on the balcony with Bubba?

Corporate Lifestyle

Understand the culture of the organization, especially their expectations of what makes a good employee

My past 30 years in corporate life, I was an executive and then thrown off the corporate ladder 7 years ago. And it’s been a slow climb back up since.
What have I learned?

1. Whatever you do, be competent in your current job. It’s the only true currency you have. That being said, no amount of competence will protect you when the next re-organization comes.

2. Never forget that relationships in business should be business relationships. You may have a friend or lover at work, but the relationship will end the moment the opportunity to advance in the business is placed between you and your friend or lover. By the way, I strongly recommend keeping romance outside of the workplace.

3. Understand that politics is a fact of corporate life, and learn to deal with it. That means you take time to understand the views of the people involved in corporate conflicts, as well as the conflicts themselves. There will be times when you have to choose between being in the right or being employed. It’s your choice.

4. Understand the culture of the organization, especially their expectations of what makes a good employee. They all say they believe in teamwork, dedication, hard work, etc. But look at the employees who are successful, who get the recognition, who rise quickly — they represent what the company is looking for. What do they do that you can do?

5. Everything communicates. How you dress, how you stand, how you speak, etc. If you want to succeed in a corporate environment, you have to communicate that you are the kind of employee that represents the corporate success story - Rob Pawlikowski

Compliments mixed with insults

"Always leave the office on time" - Andrew McGregor

I recently shared an image and comment on why I genuinely believe that we all need to practice the art of leaving the office on time. 

Admittedly I did not expect the 3k's worth of likes and 100's of comments however I wanted to share why I genuinely believe that to achieve the high's of both professional and personal life you absolutely need to pay attention and 'leave the office on time'.

Over the last 10 years I've constantly heard the wonderful phrase of work life balance, 'Work–life balance is a concept including proper prioritizing between "work" (career and ambition) and "lifestyle" (health, pleasure, leisure, family and spiritual development/meditation)'.

So what does this really mean and why do I genuinely believe in leaving the office on time?

Work is a never ending process - It's fact and we may as well get used to it, therefore stop focusing on 1 day or 1 week and start planning for a career. So harness the skills of time management and stop trying to get everything done in a day!

Interest of a client is important, so is your family - Honestly I scoff at the remark from those who think 2 hours in the evening is enough for your family, it's really not. They will always enrich your life more than a client ever can, give them the time they deserve.
If you fall in life neither your client or boss will lend you a helping hand, your family will - Don't get me wrong I was conflicted with this as I try to be a good boss and always try to be there, but I try, families always will, no questions asked.

Life is not only about work, office, and client - I love the people and industry I work within and man when we celebrate it's fantastic but do you know what, that's one moment. With friends and family, it's continuous and without expectation. Cherish your moments with family/friends and experience new adventures with them as well.

A person who stays late at the office is not a hardworking person - This raised a lot of dispute on my original post and I understand why people would disagree but I have a different view. I have learnt in 10 years of recruitment that those who are able to work effectively in the time provided they are hugely successful and enjoy a great work life balance. If you are working 10-12 hours I beg you to look at what you are trying achieve and question whether they are genuinely adding benefit. Plan your day before you start your day, don't do it at 8am or 8.30am when your day has started as your already chasing your tail. Don't be a fool.

You did not study hard or struggle in life to become a machine - Nail on head, machines can operate 24 hours a day with the right fuel. You cannot, balance your life, remember you have 24 hours a day, 8 hours to sleep, 8 hours to work, 8 hours of your own!
If your boss forces you to work late - You know what I am a boss. If I have to ask anyone to work late or work late myself I am a fool. To date, I have never asked anyone to work late, I never will. Practice what you preach.

I could go on for hours as this is a subject dear to me. I was a son with a father I rarely saw due to work. I've seen families torn apart because parents put work before family. I've heard of young fathers passing away because of stress at work and working 16 hours a day.

ALWAYS LEAVE THE OFFICE ON TIME.

By: Andrew McGregor

The washroom mirror dilemma

Why do people rush out of the washroom like a fierce hungry lion is about to pounce on them? 

I have always wondered why my colleagues turn to rush out of the washroom the moment another person steps into the next cubicle, or just to use the mirror. I don't believe its that awkward to run into your colleagues  at the washroom, lol

Is there a good reason why this happens all the time? I say no, there ain't no reasons. 

What do you think?