Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Dealing with your Colleague

Psychologists say that there is no better place to meet the most diversified set of individuals than in the workplace. Your boss is not the only one you have to deal with in the office. You cannot stand alone when you are working in a company with different departments and you are in one of them except if you are the department. 

Axis Capital Group, a human resource company which provides ground training to employers, employees and entrepreneurs in Africa has listed the most common colleagues that you will encounter in the workplace. 

1. The Gossip

- Every office has at least one of this. In some cases, he (mostly she) is called the “Mother Hen” as he know almost everything there is to know about lives of the other employees, the nature of the job and sometimes, even the background of the boss. He is usually the one to spend the most fun coffee time with the most. 

- How to Deal with Him: remember, gossip does not always mean that it is pure truth, even from someone who has been in the company most of his life. It may have an ounce of lies and exaggerations in them so do not get sucked into stories that the Gossip people say. Learn how to politely refuse or if the topic is interesting, learn to weigh which one is true within it. Know the warning signs of exaggerated stories and limit your opinions as well. It can be taken against you. Remember, people who talk easily about other people behind their back are likely to do the same with you.


2. The Comedian

- All work and no play is no fun at all. It is good to have these kinds of people around especially if your job is too serious. Humor can help ease the atmosphere in the workplace and can make it more comfortable to work with. Remember that too much seriousness can also cause death.

- How to deal With Him: Enjoy his jokes but gently remind him that you also have work to do. Sometimes, the funniest people are the ones who have the most burdensome stories. Have lunch with him every now and then to lift your spirit and also to get to know him more.

3. The Chatterbox

- These kinds of people are the ones who keep on talking and talking in the office and treat the workplace as a social gathering event. For those who are task-oriented, these people are mostly annoying as they all cannot concentrate on their work. 
- How to Deal with Him: Have patience and be polite with them. Ask them if instead of chatting during office hours, you can have your chat during lunch time instead. 

4. The Multi-Tasker

- This kind of colleague has more than one plate spinning. He can chat while keeping track of data, answering emails and balancing his sheet. A research in Jakarta, Indonesia shows that this skill is mostly possessed by female employees. Psychologists have reviewed that girls have the higher tendency to work on multiple tasks at once as their neurons tend to transfer faster from one part of the brain to the other than guys. 

- How to Deal With Him: Learn his way and it can positively help you in doing your job. 

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Managing Your Boss

Axis Capital Group, a human resource company based in Ghana knows that many of the employees’ issue and/or happiness depend on the boss. It really matters what and how the boss behave.

Looking at the term itself, “Boss” is someone who is higher than you in rank in the office. How can you, a mere employee, be able to manage your boss and start a relationship with him? Well, there are different types of bosses that you might encounter in our lifetime.

Managing your boss does not instantly mean that you have to undermine him; that you literally have to manage him although you have to do a lot of adjustments to please him. Sometimes, admit it or not, we may bend some of our own principles just to get along with the boss.

1. The Martyr
  • This kind of boss will do anything for the company even to the extent of coming to work in the midst of a super typhoon while he has pneumonia or walking 30 minutes to the office every day after his car had an accident and he has to amputate both of his legs (well, he is somehow like that).
  • How to Deal with him: Listen to him and you may get some advice from him. You can’t keep him from the things that he wants to do with the company. The loyalty of this kind of his boss is obviously to the company so make sure not to talk anything against or you have complaints about the company to him. If you want to point out something negative, try the art of proper timing.

2. The Screamer
  • This type of boss usually has issues:                                                                                         
1. either he just wants to be heard enough to get his way;
2. He gets more pressure and stress by pleasing the higher authority and managing the subordinates or;
3. He is deaf.
  • How to Deal with Him: Whatever his issues may be, you just have to avoid being shouted at and make sure to get your job done. If you finally get the chance to earn his respect, maybe you should try asking him to lower down his voice. He may not know that he is already raising it.

3. The Manipulator
  • He takes great pride in waving his power and authority around, not just in office but sometimes also at home. A power-brandishing boss loves wearing the mask of a boss, and believes that bosses are the highest-regarded professionals in the world. He is overtly possessive of his post and always wants to give an impression that he is completely in control of the situation, even when in reality he is not.
  • How to Deal with Him: This type of boss gives significance to discipline, rather than performance, and is of the opinion that employees should be self-disciplined. His motto is that with discipline, employees will eventually perform. Even if you find such bosses to be lenient, you should not break the rules too often; and even if you do so, make sure that you don’t bring it to his notice. Show him respect him, and make him feel that he is the big boss and you will be able to go about your duties undisturbed.

4. The Clueless
  • A friend of mine from Jakarta, Indonesia experienced this kind of boss on his first job. Being clueless himself, they had somehow clicked.
  • This type of boss is not dumb, he is just uneducated. Perhaps he just started with the company or is unfamiliar with the technology or has been put in that position because the administration has no choice. It doesn’t mean that he is fraud. He just needs more time to adjust and learn
  • How to Deal with Him: suggestions are often appreciated by this kind of bosses and if you can help him, you can easily befriend him

5. The Perfect
  • This kind of boss are mostly motivators; the ones who can juggle the pressures of the company, administrative tasks and managing employees. You wouldn’t have any problems in dealing with him in the workplace.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Peer Pressure in the Workplace


Every individual has experienced peer pressure. It is but normal to undergo this stage as one of the factors that we need to survive and to get along with the society. From early childhood until we come into the school, there is a big deal of pressure for all of us to belong.

However, while we think that we have outgrown peer pressure when we have already graduated from college; adults usually succumb to peer pressure in a more complicated manner, especially those who are younger and have weaker personality than others. It is the responsibility of strong leaders to ensure that the peer pressure within their organization is carefully managed to maintain a positive and productive work environment.

Peer pressure plays a very important role in how we work and do things. Typically, one could only get influenced by others positively or negatively by factors like growth (promotion of peers), compensation (salary differentiation with peers), opportunities (challenging assignment/type of work/on site opportunity), capability, insecurities at the workplace, etc.

While peer pressure may have carried a negative connotation in high school, it can actually motivate people to perform in the workplace. When colleagues know their performance and contributions affect someone else in the company, they're more likely to feel a need to step up efforts so they don't let co-workers down. Peer pressure that arises out of a sense of self worth and need to improve, can create a fruitful impact. A healthy competitive work environment can help build aspirations. In fact, if taken in the right spirit, peer pressure can help individuals strive towards excellence at work.

Axis Capital Group, a recruitment agency capitalizing in human resource appreciates and encourages healthy peer pressure in the workplace. We know one company in Jakarta, Indonesia who even held monthly peer-pressure reviews and assessment to serve as motivation to create and enhance work culture. For example, if colleagues have the opportunity to rate one another on teamwork, collaboration and group efforts, employees know their evaluation is tied to the perception of their co-workers. Workers who were evaluated as irresponsible may be aware of his actions and through peer pressure, be able to overcome the attitude while those who are dedicated on the job are respected and looked up to to lead the team.

However, though, there are some complaints in peer pressure as well. Giving in to peer-pressure at work is the same as allowing others to do the thinking for you. The moment you step back to think about the actions that you’re going to make because of peer influences, is the moment that you will have the courage to stand up to them. Using your own thinking ability and knowledge and not relying on your co-workers foolish reasoning’s is the best way to overcome what it is you are feeling pressured to do.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Doing Business in Ghana: Curves and Edges

Ghana is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional economic organization comprising a thriving market of 250 million people in West Africa. As part of the thriving countries in Africa, Ghana has been open to trade and investments to other nation. It is even considered the gateway to the growing West African Region. However, foreign investors have been cautious in investing in the country despite the increasing foreign owners around the nation.

Curves and Edges

One of the challenges in starting a business in the country is the high interest rates. Borrowing money from the banks in Ghana is considered expensive. It is therefore necessary for owners to bring ample amount of money to keep and maintain their business in the early stages.

One should also have to understand the local market in Ghana. With an estimated GDP growth of 12% in 2014, Ghana is one of the fastest growing economies in the world alongside Jakarta, Indonesia and Beijing, China. However, it does not mean that every business is successful in the country. It is important to choose the right local market to deal business with and choose the most trusted and knowledgeable local partner well to avoid scams and frauds in the area.

In terms of Ghana’s infrastructure, there are still reviews and reports about the business environment. Water and energy supply, for instance, are still lacking in some parts. These two factors have not managed to keep pace with the country’s fast growth.

For business owners who would want to invest in mining and oil, there are a lot of opportunities for you. The latter has been responsible in Ghana’s economic growth. There has also been a lot of shipping in automotive and machinery parts which can be linked in oil production and mining as well. Banking is also growing across the nation. The businesses and banks in Ghana is already moving to credit card businesses.

English language, on the other hand, is shown to not be an issue as English is the official language of the place.

Businesses continue to grow and unemployment rate decreases every quarter. Human resource agencies such as Axis Capital Group has proved that there are a lot of opportunities in the country but along with it are also challenges that are almost usual to all countries in the world.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

The Art of Dealing with Your Colleagues

A lot of our time in a week is spent in the workplace. We cannot avoid the stress and pressure that are natural in any workplace: deadlines to meet, irate bosses and piles of things to review. One thing that affects how we deal with these pressures is the usual banter and chatter with our co-workers. Our working environment may become more fulfilling and more rewarding with improved relationship with our colleagues.

It is important that there is a healthy and comfortable atmosphere in a workplace. Everyone should be comfortable in voicing out there thoughts and feel safe in doing so. The dynamics of communication should be smooth flowing in the workplace.

Share More of Yourself

One most important foundation in building a relationship is to let others know who you are. Other people would want to get to know you through the way you speak your mind. It will be easier for them to open up to you when you open up to them, thus building a relationship.

Get Involved

Don’t just get to talk when you are asked. Learn to voice your own opinion as well. It is a good way of showing that you do care about the company, the issue or the person/s involved. Bonding with them even outside of the workplace can also help strengthen the relationship. However, you want to be careful in setting clear boundaries for the situation.

Respect Others

Respect is one of the most important fundamental in every relationship. In dealing with other people and getting involved, you should learn when to butt-in in a conversation or when to voice your mind, especially in the presence of your boss.

Instead of bursting out complaints, consider that each and every individual has different values and cultures. You may be facing people with a very different belief than yours. It does good to accept that you don’t have the same mind and the same line of thoughts.

Resolve Conflicts Fast

Issues and misunderstanding will always be present in every relationship because of different beliefs and opinions especially in a workplace. Both parties should learn to compromise to resolve an issue.

About Axis Human Capital Group

Axis Human Capital Group is a team with an aim to develop talents through various organizational trainings. We are located in Ghana, Africa but our specialized blogs and articles reach to employees, employers and entrepreneurs to as far as Jakarta, Indonesia, Maldives, Singapore and the US. You may visit our website to learn more.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Building Confidence 101

Each one of us has their own out-of-body experience when faced with an interview, a presentation or talking to the boss. Thoughts are slowly drifting away to some uncertain and foggy place where you can’t think straight no matter how many times you review what you are to say prior to the situation. It’s not only you who experience these kinds of things. It does not matter if you are from Guam, the mountains of Sierra Madre, Tokyo, Japan, Jakarta Indonesia, and Hawaii or even if you are from South Pole. Even people from different cultures know the feeling.

Some people have ways to ignore these nervous symptoms all of us may have experienced from time to time. In order to cope, we put ourselves inside a transparent shelter of confidence.

But how do we build this shelter? The strength of your confidence may also determine the level of competency you are to exude in the nerve-racking situation.

Positive Self Talk

We should admit it to ourselves. We talk to ourselves sometimes. Some of us talk to themselves more frequently than others: May it is aloud or only in their heads. According to several studies, talking to oneself is not a sign of madness or delusion but can in fact help some people get done with their work, be motivated or think things through. Researchers even found out that it can turn negative feelings into optimism with positive reminders. It may be a little weird to stand in front of the mirror and say, “I can do it” but your heavy feeling can be lifted once you do it.

Make this a habit as well. It doesn’t mean that you have to talk to yourself every now and then. That may seem too weird to other people. You can just cheer yourself in your mind.

Carry Yourself Well

A little acting won’t do any harm as long as every part of your body gets incorporated with each other. It will be a little awkward if you have indeed straightened your back but sway your hands in the same motion of your step. You have to feel confident to own confidence. Be conscious of your actions but don’t let go of comfort. If we strike a powerful pose, we feel powerful.

Change your Perspective towards Other People

Inferiority may kick in if you think too much that you are talking to your boss. People have the tendency to back out from a situation if they think that they are to face someone more superior than they are. Think about them as equal human being but always remain respectful. Rather than thinking that your boss is a terrifying lion ready to pounce, think of him as a gentle cub that needs to be informed about the important information you have.

Turn your Frown Upside Down

Many people say smiling is the most powerful weapon. It blocks complaints and bad vibes. Not only does it exude a nice impression from you but it can also lift your own feeling. Be genuine as much as you can. Many people say that smiling is contagious. Who knows, you might get a smile in return from your boss.

Attend Self-Improvement Trainings

Attending self-improvement training is an option but it can do well to make you feel better especially for those who claim to be introverts. You can also read reviews or blogs online on how to improve and motivate yourself. Many self improvements companies such as Axis Human Capital group have an advocacy to help everyone build their own shelter of confidence around them.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Team Building Activities in the Workplace

All work, no play. Some of you individuals out there are too workaholic to take a break from all the stressful events, deadlines and scary bosses. Recreational activities are essential for our continued growth and to free ourselves from concentrating too much on our work. Thankfully, almost all companies nowadays take a day or week off from their hectic schedule to bond and make memories outside of the workplace. These workaholics no longer got any excuse.

When someone says team building activities, the first thing that comes to mind nowadays is the rigorous activities such as rappelling, bungee jumping or mountain trekking. If that is your style, you can go ahead and do so. There are so many available activities available nowadays. You can try mountain trekking in Mount Khuiten in Mongolia, rappelling in Bryce and Zion Canyon, bungee jumping in Queenstown in New Zealand or if you have a different trip, you can try drum dancing in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Team building is very important if you wish to extract the best out of your workforce. Employees are urged to work smarter and not just harder, in an effort to deliver the desired results. There are also available team building activities that can be done inside the office which you can do before meetings to loosen up a bit. Here are some of them:

Game Name: This is my Life
Participants: Everyone
Materials: cards (all images)
Instruction: Cards represent different stages of life. 
Queen= teenage years. 
King = Young Adult. 
Jack = Childhood years. 
Ace = now. 
Each participant must pick a card and tell something about themselves based on the image on the card picked.

Game Name: Whaddya Know
Participants: anyone
Materials: List of questions
Instructions: Bring a list of ten questions to a meeting. They can be questions about your business, the people you serve, your products — things your team should know but nothing too easy. Without warning, pop a question to the group or direct it to one individual. Every correct answer gets a candy bar or some other small reward.

Game Name: Wear your Attitude
Participants: Everyone
Materials: Attitude buttons
Instructions: Have buttons or laminated cards with a variety of attitudes on them; such as happy, angry, friendly, generous, sad, worried, excellent, etc. As each person enters work, allow them to pick the attitude they would like to display. People who pick unattractive ones can be avoided and the pleasant ones will get all the smiles, encouragement, and positive attention. Anyone can change their ‘button attitude’ at any time.

Human Resource agencies such as Axis Human Capital is a group of companies that organize team building activities, talents and development trainings and organizational seminars which help bring out the positivity and strengthen the working relationship within a company. Our priority is to enhance the capacity of an employee, employer or entrepreneur in dealing other people and their business.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

How to Manage Work-Related Stress

One of people’s biggest problems is work-related stress. It may be because of a demanding boss, a mountain of workload or pressuring deadlines. Many people say stress is relative and natural but most people who undergo it would give anything just to get rid of it.

Stress may trigger depression that may sometimes lead to health issues and sometimes, suicidal attempts. Michelle M. Conette, a blogger at Charles E. Kubly Foundation, states that stress is a well known contributor to mood, mental disorder and suicidal risks. In Japan, there are more and more people who attempts suicide annually because of work-related stress and depression. Most populous countries in the world have similar records of suicidal rates. In Indonesia, particularly Jakarta which placed 4th in the world’s biggest population, suicidal rate is 9.7%. China, which is recorded to top the chart, has 12.1% of annual suicidal rate. Experts say that South Korea, which ranked 6th in the chart of suicidal rate with 20.1%, has economic downfall to blame as a major factor for the increase of death rate in the country for the last couple of years since the recession in 1998. The businesses that have closed down, the lifestyle that cannot be met and the assurance of the job have disturbed the social standing of the individual. Those who cannot readjust and adapt are the ones who are likely to be victims of stress, pressure and depression.

Stress has been a common factor for far more serious issues that may sometimes lead to the risk of a person’s life. Researchers had analyzed the causes of this issue and how to manage it.

Avoid Unnecessary Stress

Sometimes, individuals are the ones who cause themselves stress because of too much expectation to oneself. The statements, “I should finish this!”, “I have to do this or else”… These kinds of statements should be avoided. Calm down. Instead of saying these things and bursting out complaints in the end, why not be positive about it. Claim it like you mean it. Say instead, “I can do this”, “I can finish this”. Having this kind of mindset may lessen the pressure you have built in your system.

Accept the Things You Can’t Change

They always say that acceptance is the first step to every situation. There are a lot of people who fuss over things that they can’t control. Instead of focusing on these things, try to change your reaction about it. Instead of stressing over a deadline, focus on the time that you can maximize and do the task in front of you. It may be your procrastination, the though that the deadline is still far away, rather than the demand of the job that keeps you from reaching the deadline.

Invest in Work Management Trainings

Nobody stops learning. If you are nobody, then you can just allow yourself be swallowed by stress. As we earlier pointed out, stress is inevitable and normal in the work place. How to manage it well may be learnt from experience but there are also trainings and seminars you can attend to which can help you in dealing with everyday pressure of your work.

Axis Human Capital, with a group of intelligent individuals, help individuals to be better equipped in the demands of the “real world”. With their human resource trainings, you can review your opportunities and work better in a stress-managed environment.

Source:

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Axis Human Capital Group conducts Corporate Trainings



Ghana, Africa – With an aim to increase the quality of workforce and labor in Africa, Axis Human Capital, with a group of individuals to pursue its goal, conducts training in operations and human resource-related issues which includes Strategic Planning 101 which defines the company’s best strategy to maximize their resources and increase their ROI; Business Presentation Skills which enhances the company’s communication skills in marketing their business; Negotiation in which executives, owners and leaders are taught on how to deal with people; Leadership which brings out the essence of the term and Diversity Management in which it teaches leaders on how to deal with diversified people in the team with different cultures and values. The company also conducts Teambuilding Exercises and Organizational Performance Management among many others.

It can be remembered that the team also conducted other research and development trainings for companies, employers and employees alike.

Axis Human Capital Group is specialized in human resources and has built their reputation for recruiting high-caliber candidates for employers and working with them to develop their organizational capacities through trainings and other projects. They also work with job seekers for their own individual growth, preparing them for the real world ahead and mapping out their most suitable career path through CV reviews.

With each passing year, Axis has supported and lent a hand to individuals and companies to globally compete in their own field, showing the others and the world that African people also have the ability to do what this generation has always done: to excel and succeed. Now, not only do these individuals compete and challenge one another in their own continent as they have also explored other countries such as America, Hongkong and Europe where greater opportunities are at hand. They already pose as a threat and a warning to people around the world.

For the last decade, Africa has been reported to be the worst continent for employment but companies such as Axis proves otherwise. The company is known to support and promote African development by enhancing the country’s human capital. Just like other places such as Jakarta in Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Mauritania in Africa and other neighboring countries and continents which are tagged to be the lowest of the low, Ghana has demonstrated its capacity to still grow and has established its name in the world’s fastest developing nation.

Axis Human Capital Group is continuously conducting these trainings. You can visit their website to learn more.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Money vs. Career

Every year, millions of eager young graduates step into their real world either in pursuance of their career in college or with the mindset that they can finally earn money for themselves. The latter often find themselves 20 years later to either be satisfied with their choice or not quite sure what their main goal in life still is. Very few people know what their specific purpose in life is in high school. Some might realize it in college but a lot of people who are already working have never really been able to identify their real identity or what they want to be.

When we are still young, we have specific goals: either to be a doctor, pilot, teacher or preacher. As we grow older, priorities change. We slowly understand other options, reveal hidden talents, acknowledge other skills and determine which pays more. There are so many career paths that can suite us. One thing that hinders it, though: money.

Lucky are those children who have parents that can send them to quality schools and pursue a degree related to their interest. How about those young children who have their interest at heart but have to consider a lot of factors before jumping into decisions or have to follow their parents’ choice against their will without complaints? There are also children who never had a definite choice in the first place but are willing to invest 4-5 years of their life into something that may bring them money after graduation. In the end, these children end up unemployed or wasted.

One of the reasons why there is no decline in global unemployment rate is because of the people that have not yet decided which path to take after graduation. According to The Atlantic data review, capital countries like Beijing China, New Delhi India, United States, Jakarta Indonesia and Brazil have continued to top the chart in unemployment rate despite their economic development and their being tagged as the most populous countries in the world over the years.

It is always an issue that tugs all of us: a satisfying job or a satisfying paycheck. Few had succeeded in pursuing both. These individuals are considered to be far more talented and persevered than others. To those that cannot balance both, they are forced to sacrifice one. Unfortunately, more and more young children now choose to be practical. Older people choose money as well, over that which is their true passion. That is why there is the existence of labor employment which employs everyone that can either endure 8 hrs in front of a machinery or can take a minimum of 100 calls per day except of course, if anyone dreams of being scraped to the skin or of pacifying irate customers every now and then.

There are a few companies such as Axis Human Capital Group which employs a group of people with an aim to change the way people work and develop talents especially in Ghana, Africa. These kinds of recruitment agencies have already built a reputation of employing high-caliber candidates so there are lesser risks of frauds.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Axis Human Capital Group Supports Ghana’s Continued Growth

Ghana, Africa - Axis Human Capital, a recruitment group based in Africa, supports Ghana’s continued growth and development in its economy.

According to the African Economic Outlook, the country remains positive with projected GDP growth of 8.3%. Moreover, Ghana’s government statistics added that the value of goods and services produced in the 3rd quarter of 2014 grew by 0.7% compared to the 2nd quarter of 2014.

The growth drivers of 2014 are the following:

Livestock – 17.9%
Finance and Insurance Activities – 6.4%
Fishing – 6.4%
Electricity - 6.4%

Africa’s growth and development increased by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to the review of data in 2013. The Industry sector recorded the highest growth of 8.1%, the Agriculture Sector followed with 4.4%, while Services recorded a growth rate of 3.5%.

This may be the reason that Trading Economics data in 2014 states that in the three months to September, quarterly changes reflect an increase in employment and decrease in unemployment rate. Increases in employment were observed in both the formal and the informal sectors. Employment increased by 16,000 in the Agricultural industry. Compared to a year earlier, employment increased by 81,000.

Just like in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Hongkong, which have now been reported to increase in their employment rate, this is largely due to increases in the formal and the informal sectors that grew by 134,000 and 85,000 jobs respectively in third quarter of 2014.

Although Africa, as a whole, still remained to be recorded to have the highest unemployment rate in the world, Ghana’s development has triggered hope among its fellow African countries in the possibility of slow growth towards economic success. After all, the continent is home to a third of planet’s mineral reserves, a tenth of the oil and it produces two-thirds of the diamonds. Investors have believed that the continent is far richer in natural resources than any country is.

Economists and researchers review Africa to be one of the fastest growing region in the world. With the promise of better education system, infrastructure development and sensible revolutionary reforms, Africa may lead a hope of a bright future ahead.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Unemployment Rate Generally Shows No Improvement

According to the report gathered by the International Labor Organization (ILO), unemployment rate generally shows no improvement in the last 10 years. Most countries have maintained their unemployment rate while others have either declined or increased for a few point percentages.

In the Developed Economies and the European Union, labor market conditions showed no signs of improvement during 2014. In Central and South-Eastern Europe (non-EU) and CIS countries, the fall in unemployment recorded since the crisis peak of 2009 was reversed in 2013; Employment growth continued to outpace labor force expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean; In East Asia, employment growth remained weak, consistent with weak labor force growth; In South-East Asia and the Pacific, employment expanded by 1.6 % in 2013 and is projected to outpace growth in the working age population in the coming years; labor markets continued to suffer from high rates of informal/agricultural employment where jobs are poorly paid and unprotected in South Asia; the economic growth rate in 2013 proved too low to generate sufficient employment opportunities for a fast growing population, and unemployment remained the highest in the world in the Middle East and North Africa and in Sub-Saharan Africa, paid employment opportunities are scarce and the vulnerable employment rate, at 77.4 % in 2013, remained the highest of all regions.

Mauritania has the highest unemployment rate of 30.1% in the last quarter of 2014 as reported by ILO. The country’s percentage has been constantly decreasing from 32.1% in 2005 but it has also been constantly recorded in the top 5 for the last 10 years. Cambodia, on the other hand has recorded to have the lowest unemployment rate with only 0.4% in the first half of 2014

Among all the regions, South East Asia and the Pacific have shown great potential in economic growth and development which imposes a warning to other developed countries. Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia have tied with both 3% unemployment rates. Jakarta Indonesia, despite leading Asia in infrastructure and construction industry thus employing thousands of employees is reported to still have 6% unemployed citizens in its population.

Africa, on the other hand, has been experiencing an increase in their unemployment rate. Ghana, for instance, has 12.9%, its highest unemployment record according to Trading Economics. The lack of job vacancies and have caused these numbers to increase from 11.20% from 2014.

South Asia has also been experiencing a laggard decline of unemployment rate despite the great rise of China. Hongkong also has 3% and is expected to maintain the number for the next 5 more years.

About Axis Human Capital Group  Human Resource agencies like Axis Human Capital, a group of HR professionals which is located in Ghana, aims to help decrease unemployment rate by organizing events for employment awareness, particularly in Africa. We work with job seekers to map out their career paths and prepare them for career opportunities through individual career coaching, workshops and CV reviews. We also build the capacity of entrepreneurs through tailored business advisory services for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Action Speaks Louder than Words

Non-verbal communication is as essential in any interview as the words you say. In fact, it tells more about you. But there are a lot of interviewees who get jitters and nerves before the actual meeting thus causing them to convey it through their actions. 

People usually get nervous because of the panic they feel in the thought of meeting the interviewer. The main reason for this is mostly because we are already thinking of the outcome of the interview, worried if we can give the right answers and anxious about the questions. Most people don’t realize that we are already building an impression even before the start of the interview proper from the time we open the door until the time we walk out of it. 

These non-verbal languages we convey may affect our interview so we really have to be cautious in how we act in front of our potential boss. 

Build Your Confidence

It doesn’t matter whether you are in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Europe or America to know this: being called for an interview is a big opportunity. It means you have been evaluated and are a step from being hired. They wouldn’t entertain you if you are worth nothing to them. 

Focus

You will need to have a goal and focus on that. Review the most commonly asked questions during an interview the facts that you want to share about yourself and the information you have gathered about the company. Remain professional throughout the process. 

You should also prepare for your physical appearance. Choose an outfit that best suit the company’s feel without compromising your own taste. Overdoing your outfit may make you look dull and boring but if you are applying to a big, corporate company, wearing a flowery dress or comfort shoes may not be appropriate.

The Interview

During the interview, be alert on what your interviewer is saying and consider these important non-verbal factors:

1. Eye Contact
- Remember that eyes are the windows to one’s soul. Maintaining eye contact with your interviewer during the whole course of your interview is essential but make sure you don’t creep them out. If you look away while you are talking, it shows that you lack confidence or might send the impression that you are a fraud; if your interviewer is talking and you are looking around the room, it shows that you have a very short attention span and might offend the one speaking.

2. Facial Expression
- Eliminate any negative features. If you are sad or tired during those times, throw them out of the window and smile. It will not only give the impression that you are a happy person but may also lift all your heavy feeling. A genuine smile can be very contagious. You do not need to plaster that smile all throughout the interview but always remember to keep coming back to it.

3. Posture
- This one imposes confidence and power. Stand tall, walk tall and sit tall.

4. Gesture
- Hand gestures while we talk are normal to human beings. We just need to manage it. Usually when a person is nervous, he is overly conscious of himself to the point that his gestures are already not connected with the other parts of his body. Make sure that your gestures are natural and meaningful.

The most important aspect of interviewing is your attitude. If you want to rise above others with better experience, better grades, or better anything, you will need to work on developing a highly positive work attitude. The way most employers differentiate at the entry level is by candidates' attitudes toward the job. 

About Axis Human Capital Group

Axis Human Capital is a group of professionals who aim to enhance personal talents especially in Ghana, Africa. We work with job seekers to map out their potential and career paths. Since its inception in 2008, Axis group has built a reputation for recruiting high-caliber candidates for employees and has assured our employers against fraud or scam.

For more information:

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Finding a Job Can Take So Long: The Reasons Why

Landing on a job frequently takes much lengthier than job hunters anticipate, more especially abroad, in Jakarta, Indonesia for instance. 

The initial reason why landing on a job takes lengthier than estimated is because of the companies, like Axis Human Capital Ltd, a group of companies currently located in Accra, job search time line. It is very infrequent for a company to post an open position and fill the position instantly. To begin with, resumes need to be gathered and subjected to review. Next, several series of phone interviews and then in-person interviews. Even when a top applicant is chosen, the human resources department still frequently needs to inspect references, do background checks and complete other vital administrative work prior to the job offer.
Job hunters must have patience with companies throughout the interview procedure, particularly when it takes longer than anticipated. A worthy HR department works to remain in communication with job applicants throughout a long procedure, however, even the best communication does not make a job search progress faster.

Next reason why getting a job takes too long is for the reason that there are more job hunters than vacant positions. This is especially factual for higher-level jobs. An extremely eligible job hunter has to wait for a suitable position in the suitable geographical area to uncover and then contest with other similarly qualified candidates for the vacant position.

Even getting retail and service occupations frequently take too long, as compared to a job hunter assumes. After all, they do no want to hire frauds.

Some job hunters consider getting a job as a nonstop course. These are the job hunters who watch out for fresh positions in their industry and submit an application for them at whatever time they become available, although they are contentedly employed by another company. For the reason that getting a job is much trouble-free if presently employed. These job hunters sometimes have less time to job search as compared to individuals who wait till they are out of a job to start the job search course.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

How to nail an Interview

Your interview skills will at all times be necessary, whether you are working your initial steps up the career ladder being a fresh graduate or meaning a truly significant job shift and job relocation in Jakarta, Indonesia or anywhere around the world. At the moment, it is more vital than ever to have sturdy interview talents due to the totality of competition out there. In spite of the situation you are in, it is significant to be ready for the interview.

Below is the list prepared by Axis Human Capital Ltd, a group of companies currently located in Accra, to help you pull a perfect interview.

Ensuring a professional method will at all times makes you appear a lot more serious towards the position you are being interviewed for. Minor stuff such as a good posture and presenting other plain qualities of professionalism will display that you are confident. Continuously make certain you are punctual for your chance may rule you out immediately for being late or for failing to demonstrate basic etiquette in the place of work. Coming late implies that you do not respect the interviewer to come a little early to the interview.

While in the interview make certain that you inquire many questions to display your interest. Do not start off by stating how much you want the job, because it could come across as slightly fraud. As a substitute, inquire questions because it as well provides you the opportunity to learn more on the job itself, like the duties in addition to whom you will be working with. Never be scared to inquire questions, considering that it will display just how enthusiastic you are to the interviewer.

A helpful thing to do in preparation for an interview is to fully research and review the company. Ensure that you are acquainted with a bit regarding their philosophy and background so you could demonstrate the interviewer in what way you will be well suited into the company. Display exactly how the skills you have will help you match into the group and even be a value to the company. When the interviewer says something you have never performed before, do not answer, “I can’t” or “I haven’t”. As an alternative, give out the experience you do have and discover an optimistic thing from that.

Once you have completed the interview, it is worthy to follow it up with an email or handwritten note. This must show gratitude to them for their time and incorporate some added info where relevant like a link you discoursed throughout the interview. This will display them that you are truly fascinated in the job and it is as well a respectful gesture, which the interviewer may be grateful for.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Skype Interview Advices and Tips

Skype Interview is very common nowadays, more especially that more and more people prefer to work abroad. For instance, you are from Jakarta, Indonesia and your potential employer is from Canada, they prefer to interview you via Skype.

Warning! It is very important to be dressed in the appropriate attire in the Skype process, do dress professionally. If you have need of further advices and tips on proper interview attire read on Axis Human Capital Ltd, a group of companies currently located in Accra, official website.

It is still significant to wear smart professional clothing despite the fact that the interviewer just can see you from the waist up. This will make you feel more serious regarding the interview. It could help as well with your presentation, since the interview will seem more formal and vital. It will have an optimistic effect on your posture as well, because you will feel more persuaded to sit up straight, which will cause you to appear more presentable.

Throughout the interview, it is significant to consider your body language and social interaction. On camera it can be hard to exercise in what way your body language comes across, specifically with the brief time frame of a Skype interview. Consequently, you must try and create a good relationship with the interviewer as fast as possible. Through doing stuff like making eye contact, sitting up straight and smiling, your non-verbal communications will make you look more self-assured. It will also make you look more confident and will help you speak more clearly if you sit up straight.

While your body language is hard to put across in a Skype interview, effort and concentrate on your tone of voice. Try to sound passionate and enthusiastic to be taking the interview for the employment you truly aspire, but do not sound like a fraud. It will demonstrate the interviewer that you are be of interest in the position and make you look like a more sociable individual. Having an excited answer to a question will maintain the interviewer’s interest in what you would say, seeing that you do not desire to drop their attention.


Lastly, if you are not capable to have the interview at home, make certain you consider cautiously regarding the location that it will come to pass. It must be a noiseless place with no interruptions, so that the interview would run smoothly. If the spot you are having the interview is in public, in that case you should let the interviewer learn in advance so you can reschedule or the interviewer will take that into consideration.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

What is Errors & Omissions Insurance or Professional Liability

Errors and omissions insurance or E&O insurance is a kind of malpractice insurance. In general, it covers professionals, like financial advisers, doctors and lawyers, if in case an error they have made lead to physical damage, harm in the reputation of a client or a financial loss.

Professional who offers services to individuals and businesses must have e&o insurance. Doctors and other medical professionals are commonly obliged to have malpractice insurance.

E&O insurance is non-compulsory for other professionals and countries, like in Jakarta, Indonesia, at least from a legal perspective. Though, it is not mandated by law, it`s however a great decision to purchase one or you will be having complaints on why you didn’t.

Professionals would not purposely do something erroneous or provide a client damaging advice, however everyone makes errors. E&O insurance will cover you if the customer sues and wins a judgment of frauds against you.

Your policy will cover your legal payments even though you are wrongly suspected of having done an error.

Many companies that offer general business liability policies such as Axis Capital, a group of companies in Bermuda and has many more offices worldwide offered errors e&o insurance as well. You possibly will also locate agents who concentrate in offering said insurance.

You may possibly still must go finish a separate underwriting procedure, even though you secure a policy from the same company that works out for your liability insurance. The insurer will be demanding to ensure copies of agreements along with any quality control and training policies you possess. They furthermore will require to look at your claims history or lack thereof.

Prices for e&o insurance will possibly rely not just on your personal state, but including the company you work for. You might end up in financial troubles if you make an error and be defeated a lawsuit over it, going without e&o insurance. So therefore, you could discover yourself necessitating to catch a solution to get debt aid or debt payment. It is better to be ready than to be dealing with lots of complaints in the future.

Monday, January 5, 2015

How to Choose on the Perfect Health Insurance that Suits You

Nowadays a proper health insurance is a necessity, we cannot afford not having a health insurance not just for our ourselves but for the family’s benefits as well. There are numerous plans available out there by a lot of insurance companies, it can be very difficult making it hard to decide and will often lead to an unprofitable purchase since one has no proper knowledge and guidance.

Online sales relieve insurers accumulate on intermediary commission. The major benefit the online platform provides is the competence to render any buying decision in an uncomplicated and appropriate method and as well facilitate in assessing the price quotes of various companies.

If you have a family, thinking twice is unnecessary. Floater indicates that a single Sum Insured could protect every member in the single policy as well as the sum assured is offered to any one member or to all members in the instance of any possibility throughout the period of the policy.

It is at all times advisable to act early, because a large number of health insurers do not require for medical exam when you are 45 years old and under. You may as well get the chance to go beyond the time frontier of pre-existing illnesses. This has been Jakarta, Indonesia’s principal problem nowadays.

Review the policy structures to learn what is covered and what is not as well as making sure that the coverage of the selected policy is within your demands and necessities.

A high-quality insurance company like Axis Capital, a group of companies in Bermuda and has many more offices worldwide will have cashless tie ups with many of the well-known hospitals. On the other hand, do not choose a policy just for the reason that it has a cashless tie up with hospital near you. You may at all times go for reimbursement with a respectable hospital with any policy.

Refer to your family members and friends on the history of a company prior on taking the final decision of purchasing the policy to avoid fraud.

Be honest and truthful in your statements on the proposal form and do not withhold any info from the underwriter. Many of the claims get rejected because of not revealing some facts.

Estimate your sum insured based on the preceding three years medical expenditures you made and furthermore, if you are ill with any persistent disease. Be smart and go for a higher sum insured because rise of medical costs yearly. Lastly, exercise on a regular basis and keep an eye on healthy eating habits. Shun from smoking or drinking. Keeping maximum caution of your eating habits and health will certainly avoid you from go to see the doctor and going to the hospital frequently.

Constantly Being Rejected, here are the reasons why!

It is always depressing if you are constantly being rejected and you're not getting the job, Axis Human Capital Ltd, a group of companies currently located in Accra, understands this very well. However, through studying what went wrong at your job hunt method, you could confirm that you develop beyond ever in the past. Through rendering modifications in your association, your conversational and your sales abilities, you will be successful at the résumé phase, accomplished the initial and second interviews and getting hired eventually.

Connections are vital to landing on a job, particularly if you dream of working abroad like in Jakarta, Indonesia perhaps, frequently letting you to avoid writing a résumé, cover letter and the application procedure. Connections make the whole job hunt stress-free and will keep you away from fraud. However, if you're not catching a job, look through people who identifies you and what you do. You may perhaps have no any useful connections since you don't network, or for the reason that you merely haven't placed yourself there. 

To begin constructing your connection network, get under way of allowing friends or family identify what kind of profession you desire, and check if they be acquainted with anybody who can help out. If you don't sense their network is sturdy enough, begin the networking course through attending to an affair or event in your preferred industry. Converse with people near you, and make certain to get business cards and catch up after.

Review, perhaps you're not good at selling yourself. Your cover letter and résumé are uninteresting and very bad. Or it could be those documents are too long or too short. You'll cannot pass those pile of for interview résumés when you're terrible at selling yourself.

Selling yourself is not damaging; it simply needs preparation. To begin with, save a document of accomplishments. Next when you make your cover letter and résumé, emphasize those, instead of listing what you did day to day in previous jobs. Remain self-assured in your character, from paper to personal appearances, in addition carry on to describing the outcomes you could convey to the place throughout your interview too.

You're not conversational would bring you a lot of problems. You made it to the interview, however, didn’t catch it, maybe it is your interview style. Further than conversing why you're the best for the job and stressing your abilities and upshots in previous jobs, you must be conversational. Employers are after at liking you. Likeable individuals are the perfect people to work with. Therefore intensify the charisma and passion. Express that not just are you completely capable, nonetheless you'll be getting along with everyone. Never be overeager, however, make certain to articulate your desire and commitment.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

How to Deal With a Bully Boss

Bullying is not just happening at playgrounds or online. On a regular basis, many grownups are intimidated, especially when you are an alien in a foreign country such as Jakarta Indonesia, by no other than the bully bosses. Many don’t imagine having to deal with bullying after high school. However, a lot of individuals are discovering that bullying is not restricted to teenage years. In reality, to a greater extent, many are facing bullies at work.

Bully bosses are the angry boss who occupies his day shouting and violently handling employees to the passive aggressive one who is controlling the condition in the background. However, everyone has a common one characteristic: they just concern about themselves and their career.

For example, a bullying boss embarrasses you in front of everyone. He furthermore, may possibly scream, curse or shout at you on a regular basis or make invasive gags at your expense. Orally offensive bosses as well make sarcastic comments or bid unjust critique regarding you or your work. This kind of people is worse than a fraud.

Go over their head! On the condition that the boss who is bullying you can't in fact lay you off you, in that case, report and have a formal complaint re their conduct to the authority. When there's a board or committee that employs and throws out employees, you should report to them. But, there's a danger of going over a bully's head, it is that you are not lawfully secure critical of vengeance for reporting a bully, thus they might simply take the boss's side and throw you out instead.

Report for yourself and others and speak out. Saying that this person is a not just to you and to others as well, thenceforth you may be secure against vengeance if you report on behalf of others and yourself. If you're involved in collaborative action with coworkers, you are possible to be protected under the law.

Study for discrimination or other protected standing, Axis Human Capital Ltd, a group of companies currently located in Accra has many tips and advices for concerning the topic. Office bullies are similar to playground bullies. They aim at the frail and the different. That denotes they regularly break the law.


Reference: http://www.axishcl.com/