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Author Archives: Deidre Harvey

MGI students support Earth Hour initiative 2011

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on March 28, 2011 – 10:50 am
Filed under Fun Stuff!, Press Articles, School News

We all too often get tangled up in our consumer driven day to day lives that we forget about the bigger picture. Sadly, for a very long time, people have looked around and noticed only the differences between themselves and others. They pay attention to the varied shades of skin, ways of praying, languages spoken and mealtime traditions. What humanity has forgotten is that we have one magnificent thing in common, without which, none of us would be around… Her name is Mother Earth.

We have been warned time and time again about the detrimental effects of our wasteful ways and lack of concern for our planet. Save water! Don’t litter! Use less power! Turn off the lights! Use less gas! So, where is it exactly that we all plan to live when our time runs out? The joke is on us fellow polluters. We might be late out of the starting block, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t finish the race.

Modern Gulf Institute is proudly taking part in Earth Hour 2011. Earth Hour is held on the last Saturday of March every year, and all it involves is switching off your power for one hour, between 8:30 and 9:30pm. It is estimated that over 130 countries will be taking part, and we are pleased to add Oman to that number. Let us show the world that we are paying attention to this beautiful world and that we too intend to do our part to save the planet.

MGI Offering Job Seekers Programme

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on March 6, 2011 – 3:33 pm
Filed under Press Articles

 

Modern Gulf Institute is offering a Job Seekers Programme, consisting of English, IT and Soft Skills.  The Soft Skills are all job related, such as Customer Service, Communication, Time Management, and Office Management.  In addition students will be taught job related skills such as CV Writing and Interviewing Skills.

Each 2 month programme will build on the previous one and students will receive Ministry of Manpower Certification for the levels passed.  Students who continue for 6 months will complete three levels of English, Microsoft Applications Beginner and Advance and have the opportunity to sit the IC3 examinations for international IT certification.

The aim of the project is to offer first class, job specific training at affordable prices so that people who are genuinely looking for work can be given the skills to function in a workplace environment.  Courses can be adapted for groups with specific needs

Body Language

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on February 20, 2011 – 10:42 am
Filed under Press Articles

When asking a group of people to give examples of communication, the first answers include speaking, telephone, email, letters and text messages. More often than not, it takes a bit of a push to get them to include body language, which is in fact one the most detailed and expressive types of communication. Body language is a form of non-verbal communication which implies that we are able to transfer a message from sender to receiver without using words. We do this by using hand gestures, body stance, facial expression and eye contact.

Hand gestures form an important part in most greetings, for example the handshake, wave and salute. These   are welcoming signals that reveal that the other person is not holding a weapon. When speaking, our hands often flop about subconsciously in an effort to further clarify what we mean. Experts on the subject say that when a person’s hand movements start at the body and move out, that the person in question is being open and honest. Oppositely, if the hand movements start further away and go towards the person’s body, they are not being entirely truthful. Do you agree that we, as observers, can make such assumptions? Fidgeting is a clear sign of nervousness, while hands that don’t move at all indicate restraint and possibly lying. When traveling or doing international business, one must be cautious and aware of the different hand gestures around the world. For example, in Oman, to squeeze the tips of one’s fingers together means ‘wait’, ‘be patient’ or ‘slow down’. The same gesture in South Africa is very rude and offensive, and could even result in a fight.

The way we sit or stand is just as significant to our receiver. Shoulders back and head held high indicates that a person is confident and will not back down if challenged. However, when a person is hunched over, curling in to themselves, they are protecting themselves. They are insecure and will more than likely not stand up for themselves. Crossed arms clearly reveal that the person is closed off to what is being said and they will not be persuaded. Stand tall, you will be noticed.

Facial expression and eye contact are the most important non-verbal communicators. Our facial movements represent our emotional state the most vividly. We are often able to tell what is going to happen next in a situation just by looking at someone’s face. We can see when a person is concentrating, angry, mischevious, grouchy or happy. When one smiles and genuinely means it, their eyes and whole face will smile. And what a powerful tool a smile can be. The way you look at the person you are addressing, will let them understand you better. Do they look directly into your eyes, stare, keep looking away or looking from side to side? To find out what this all means and more, join Modern Gulf Institute in launching their new course…

Morning Classes Special Offer!!!

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on February 20, 2011 – 9:33 am
Filed under General Foundation Programmes

Why study in the morning? Well, as Ben Franklin once said “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a person healthy and wise”. Is there really any truth to this? Are we able to retain more information after a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast? We at Modern Gulf are putting it to the test with our band new morning combo of English and IT.

In order to make use of all the educational and vocational opportunities that come our way, we must be well prepared and ready for the challenge. We can do this by ensuring that our language and computer skills are fresh and up to date. Computer technology is advancing at a steep and steady rate and all of us can benefit from the occasional course to ensure that our knowledge is current and relative. English is an absolute must-have in any job, college or university application. What makes you a step ahead of the rest?

 It would be an absolute shame to be turned away from your dream because you lacked competence in aspects of learning that are so easily available. You owe it to yourself to be the very best that you can be. Wake up and smell the coffee. There is no more time to waste! Open your eyes, kick off the covers and get down to MGI to register for our morning English and IT classes. You deserve it to get with it!

Integrated Talent Management

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on February 19, 2011 – 4:51 pm
Filed under Press Articles

In the area of Training and Development Modern Gulf Institute (MGI) has set a new trend and works with a vision of ‘talent management need not be a puzzle’. The Institute has showcased its ‘Integrated Talent Management model’ and ‘Pyramid of Management Communications’ at the recently concluded Human Resources Development Expo 2011. The MGI stand at the expo was fun with the interactive puzzle pieces showing the link between all the functions of HR and talent management. The Institute’s Training and Development Manager, Ms Lois Wagner, says: “Talent management is a critical part of the corporate business management strategy. It is an ongoing process that starts with a new employee and ends when employment ceases.” She felt the need to expand the competencies in an integrated manner in all the talent management areas of recruitment management (attracting talent), learning management (developing talent), performance management (managing talent) and compensation management (retaining talent).

“Integrated talent management extends the value of the strategic framework in a forward thinking organisation. It integrates and aligns all the HR processes and practices with the strategic business objectives to ensure optimisation of all aspects of talent management,” she said. Modern Gulf Institute is a privately owned training institute that offers a comprehensive selection of Professional Development, English, Information Technology and Foundation courses for both young learners and adult students. MGI helps organisations to unleash their human potential by developing and delivering in-house, tailor-made business, management and soft skills programmes for today’s corporate companies and for institutions and government departments. MGI provides HR consulting and executive coaching that is solutions driven and is aimed at helping organisations achieve their overall goals to improve organisational effectiveness and operational excellence.

WINNERS OF THE JANUARY 2011 FREE COURSE DRAW

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on January 15, 2011 – 12:13 pm
Filed under School News

Winners of the January free course draw were:

Husna Zahran Al Mamari nominated by Sanaa Zahran Al Mamari (tel number xxxx6250)

and

Saleh Ali Al Mamari nominated by Taleb Hamood Al Balushi (tel number xxxx9078)

Well done to the winners!

You too can win a free course at MGI by logging on to our website and nomitating two friends.  If either of your friends win, you will automatically also win a free course.

Enter now for the February draw.  You have go to be in it to win it.

Talent Management

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on November 23, 2010 – 7:15 pm
Filed under Press Articles, Soft Skills

According to the Galup Management Model, only 26% of the employees in an average organization are engaged.  That means that 74% of your workforce probably do not feel connected to the organization, and of that an astonishing 56% are actively disgruntled and waste hours of your time on non work related activities.

Performance and talent management can help develop strategies that link the abilities of your staff to your strategic plan.  Modern Human Resource Management incorporates the view that people are assets to be to be developed and trained so that the right people are retained in the right positions.  In order to do this people have to know what the strategic objectives are, and then align their skills, ability and performance to the operational and financial goals of the organization in order to achieve these strategic objectives.

What that means in simple English is that everybody is good at something and it is in the company’s interest to find out what.  If an employee knows he is doing well at something,  he will develop self confidence and be motivated and committed, which in turn will increase efficiency.  Similarly, if an employee knows why he is doing something, where the organization is going and how he fits into it, he will be engaged.  All in all, you will have a happier workforce, lower staff turnover, reduced recruitment and training costs, and higher productivity.  Now doesn’t that make a whole lot more sense?

“The workplace should primarily be an incubator for the human spirit.” (Anita Roddick, 1942-2007

Your CV – Tips and Pointers

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on October 26, 2010 – 10:41 am
Filed under Press Articles, Soft Skills

Have you ever considered that most HR departments function in English?  That means that people working in those departments are usually good at English.  So, when you make your first impression with a job application and CV that is full of errors or doesn’t have accurate information, it can only be detrimental to your chances of getting the job that you applied for.

Here are ten comments that were taken from actual CV’s.

  1. Job Duties: “Answer phones, file papers, respond to customer e-mails, take odors.” 
  2.  Reason for leaving last job: “maturity leave.”
  3. Attention to detail “Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details.”
  4. Interests: “Gossiping.”
  5. Skills: “I have integrity so I will not steal office supplies and take them home.”
  6. Qualifications: “Twin sister has accounting degree.”
  7. Language skills: “Written communication = 3 years; verbal communication = 5 years.”
  8. Education: “I possess a moderate education but willing to learn more.”
  9. Bad traits: “I am very bad about time and don’t mind admitting it. Having to arrive at a certain hour doesn’t make sense to me. Any company that insists upon rigid time schedules will find me a nightmare.”
  10. Personal: “I am loyal and know when to keep my big mouth shut.”

They are funny, but it would be interesting to see how many of the applicants got as far as a first interview.  The moral of the story is, even if you are a native or near native speaker, get somebody to proofread your documents before sending them.  If you are not sure about a word, don’t use it. Always tell the truth and don’t supply too much personal information.

Here are some tips on what not to do:

-       Don’t use coloured paper, pretty designs or smileys.

-       Don’t make your CV too short or too long.  One page is too short.  Six pages is too long.

-       Don’t include seductive pictures of yourself, especially if they were taken several years ago.

-       Don’t include personal or childlike e-mail addresses.  If you address includes words such as, lonely, love, sweet, sixty, nine, kiss/es, baby, beautiful or stud, just give them your telephone number instead.

-       Don’t use long complicated sentences and vocabulary that you are not absolutely sure you understand correctly.

Finally, make sure your details are current and accurate.  It would be a pity to go to all that trouble and then be out of contact if you were called for an interview.

You don’t write because you want to say something; you write because you’ve got something to say.  F. Scott Fitzgerald

For more information go to info@moderngulf.com

Motivation

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on October 12, 2010 – 5:14 pm
Filed under Press Articles, Soft Skills

Motivation in a Nutshell

Today with globalization and the Internet, we have a vast resource of people to meet our staffing needs.  Nevertheless recruitment and training of staff is a huge financial cost and it is therefore in the best interests of organizations to retain the good staff they have. 

There are many different reasons why people stay in the positions they have.  Money and security is a big motivator, but once that need has been fulfilled the most effective way to retain your staff is by training, involvement and recognition.

-       If people feel that they are personally benefitting from training they are receiving they will be motivated.  If this training is tied into their jobs and they can associate the new skills with the activities they are expected to perform, they will be even more motivated, develop confidence and be more productive.

-       If employees can align the company mission, vision, goals and values with those with their own, they will feel involved and automatically buy into the overall direction of the company.  

-       All people, even at senior level, need recognition for good performance which can be linked to salary and/or a bonus scheme.  If your budget can’t run to bonuses, an “employee of the month” or a small gift is certainly well appreciated, but nothing leaves a warm glow more than a genuine, heartfelt “Thank you”.

So essentially, to keep good staff happy all you have to do is train them, involve them in the organization and above all show them that you appreciate them.  You will be surprised at how far a genuine, heartfelt ‘thank you’ can go.

“Fantastic things happen – to the way we feel, to the way we make other people feel. All this simply by using positive words.” (Professor Leo F Buscaglia)

Attention School Leavers

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Posted by Deidre Harvey on October 12, 2010 – 5:03 pm
Filed under General Foundation Programmes, Press Articles, School News

Manage your Destiny

Life takes us on journeys full of bumps, turns and winding paths, some of which we can control and the rest… let’s call them fate or destiny. Upon reaching our mile stone destinations, we realize that we don’t always end up where we thought we would. The good news is that the majority of the reward is found in the journey itself.  When travelling with awareness and an eagerness to learn, the world becomes a fountain of endless possibility.

It is with this philosophy in mind that we should approach the new academic year. We should keep our eye on the goal, but not lose focus on what we are able to gain at every step on the way to that goal. Hundreds of school leavers are not doing what they would like to be doing right now. Perhaps they were unable get into the course that most interests them, or they are forced into doing an unwanted foundation year, or they haven’t managed to get into their first choice university. Whatever the case may be, this is no time to wallow in defeat. Dust yourself off, open your eyes, remember your dream, and now find a way to get closer to it.

“How?” I hear you thinking. There are many ways to Rome as I’m sure you’ve heard. It is up to you to find an alternative route, or perhaps you need to substitute your mode of transport. If you are already at university or college, ask the student advisors to help you expand and understand your options. If you are still hoping to join an institute of higher education, don’t waste your time sitting at home doing nothing. Enroll in short courses, English courses or IT courses at your local institute. These certificates will stand you in good stead when applying to study.  Now take hold of your life and start securing a better academic future for yourself and your family. You will not be disappointed!

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