The complexities of working in a team.

Since growing up as kids we were exposed to working in teams. For those who grew up in big families they were sometimes forced to work or play with their siblings, even if they did not get along!

At school for those who enjoy sports, they join different sports teams, Basketball, Football, Softball, Cricket, Volleyball, just to mention  a few.

Being part of a team needs resilience, confidence and also certain calmness. You have to be flexible to change according to the situation. Different tactics may be used depending on the team members, and also on the strength and ability of your opponents. It is not an easy task when you have a difficult team member who is selfish, or who does not take orders well or who lacks the respect to follow what s/he is told by the coach or team leader.

The same applies in the workplace. You may be placed in a department with the best team and vice versa is also true!

Working in a team at the office has its own challenges. Some team members may not be as motivated as others and thus may not put their all in a group task.Some other team members may just be slow! You are given an assignment and they delay the rest due to their turtle speed.Some team members can lack the seriousness needed and may end up messing the whole project due to errors which could have been avoided.

How does one work in a team? How do you position yourself in a team such that you can function at your best, you can win the respect and trust of your peers while maintaining a healthy relationship with your superiors? 

Communication and understanding the strengths and weaknesses can help in executing your duties in the team. Ensuring that the right tasks are assigned to the right individual and any weaknesses identified are dealt with immediately. This brings about efficiency as a team and also boosts the morale of every team member.

A Ugandan woman becomes first African Woman Director at Interpol

Elizabeth Kuteesa , a Ugandan, has been appointed to head a key department at Interpol General Secretariat at its Head Quarters. She is the first African to occupy this position.

Elizabeth Kuteesa was Assistant Inspector General police (AIGP) in Uganda and has been appointed to head Interpols National Cultural Bureau and Regional Police Services (NRPS) Unit.
Interpol is the largest police organisation with 190 member countries.

The secretary General Ronald K. Noble said the promotion demonstrated the global role of African Women within the International Law enforcement Community.

Congratulations to Ms Kuteesa in her new role!!!

Magatte Wade - Inspirational African Woman Entrepreneur

Magatte Wade was born in Senegal, educated in Germany and France, and launched her entrepreneurial career in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she co-founded Adina World Beverages after working closely with Silicon Valley start-ups. 

The company has attracted talent from beverage industry leaders, including the founders of Odwalla and Sobe, and is now carried in major national retailers across the U.S., including Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, and trial roll-outs at Safeway and in the Pepsi distribution chain.

The driving force towards her starting her beverage company was when she visited Senegal and found traditional Hibiscus drinks were replaced by Cola. She feared that people will lose their African heritage and decided to form the company.

Magatte recently launched her second company, The Tiossano Tribe, which produces and retails luxury organic skin-care products based on indigenous Senegalese skin care recipes. Tiossano is a contemporary lifestyle products brand that integrates the three cultures that formed her, Dakar, Paris, and San Francisco.

Magatte’s aim is to inspire a new generation of thinkers from Africa to be innovative and go back to Africa and bring out the culture and stories of Africa and turn them into a new opportunity.

 

The World Economic Forum named her one of their Young Global Leaders for 2011 and Forbes named her one of the "20 Youngest Power Women in Africa" in 2011.

Veronica's Kitchen Party 8th January 2012

VACANCY- CREDIT ANALYST

A leading Retail Credit Provider  in Tanzania is looking for a person to fill the position of Credit Analyst.

The person will be responsible for the review, analysis and reporting on the loan portfolio performance and ensuring the adherence and implementation of best credit management practices set by the company and in line with the group agreed policy. 

Duties and Responsibilities

  

• Monthly credit analysis and reporting on the company loan portfolios.

•  Monthly analysis and reporting of loan provision movements. 

• Monthly analysis of loan portfolio Key Performance Indicators

• Monthly review and analysis of reconciliation between Debtor Management System and General Ledger

•  Provide training and support to other staff in the use of the Debtor Management System.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management/ Finance or Professional Accounting Qualification.

•     2 – 3 years’ experience in credit risk management and or analytics preferably in banking and financial services sector.

•   Possess knowledge and understanding of International Accounting Standards with specific reference to IAS36 & 37 “Impairment of Assets & Provisions”.

•   Must be proficient in Microsoft office applications.                                                                             

    Deadline for receiving applications is Wednesday 11^th January 2012.

If you meet the requirements please send your application to elite@elitecareers.co.tz.

I think I can

We pass through different phases in life which make us utter the words “I can” or “I think I can”. These words may be used in various contexts but it is important to understand the implications of using such words. 

Everyone says I can…hoping to impress others or to show they have the ability to perform. Some say “I can” because it is simple, they really can.

Some may say “I can” and fail in the end. It is not that they did not have the ability to do it, but failure could be because of factors which are beyond their control.

When you have a dream that you want to become a reality and you tell yourself “I think I can do it” or have an attitude of” I think”. It is likely that you will not make it. Attitude and how you believe in yourself matters in achieving greatness or at least getting somewhere.  

 When you put “I think” as the starting point, chances are you will not be able to overcome the hurdles that may come your way because in your own mind you already lack the belief that you are able to make it to the end. 

However, we also tend to use “I think I can” so as to alleviate any feelings of disappointment that might engulf us should we fail. If you have been told something is impossible to do or to achieve, the fact that you say “I think I can”, shows that you have the confidence to actually do the impossible. In such a situation, even if you fail, at least you tried!

Human Resources and Administration Assistant - Vacancy

Vacancy for Human Resources and Administration Assistant

Requirements
Fresh graduate (2011) with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources Management or Public Administration.
Ability to use a computer and computer software
Knowledge in Excel

Innovative
Energetic
Good Communication Skills in both English and Swahili
Self confident
Good presentation Skills
Ability to work under minimum supervision
Charming

Please send your CV to elite@elitecareers.co.tz .

Deadline is Friday 6th January 2011.