Practice Notes

July and August Tea and Toast learning sessions

If you haven't attended one yet, then come along to one of our Tea and Toast hour-long sessions. They're free and open to everyone.

Tips to improve your emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is now recognised as a core leadership and general workplace competency. Learn some ways to reflect on and develop your own EQ, including details of assessments and actions you can take.

Date: Tuesday 5 July

Time: 8am - 9am

Venue: Boardroom, Level 5, Newspaper House, 93, Boulcott Street

Speaker: Hilary Bryan, The Training Practice director

Email katherine@trainingpractice.co.nz if you want to come. All welcome and no charge.

Another look at Transactional Analysis

Transactional analysis is a way of analysing and understanding how we communicate. It's been around for over 40 years and its core ideas include: parent, adult and child interactions; games; and stroking. They're all relevant today, so find out more.

Date: Wednesday 3 August

Time: 8am - 9am

Venue: Boardroom, Level 5, Newspaper House, 93, Boulcott Street

Speaker: Hilary Bryan, The Training Practice director

Email katherine@trainingpractice.co.nz if you want to come. All welcome and no charge.

A note to the apostrophe challenged

If apostrophes are a challenge for you, here's our simple guide.

Use apostrophes to denote possession or a missing letter.

The boy's room was untidy. (This means the room belonging to the boy was untidy.)

The boys' room was untidy. (This means the room belonged to several boys.)

Watch out for words like men, women and children. Here goes:

The man's room was untidy. (This means the room belonging to the man was untidy.)

The men's room was untidy. (The apostrophe goes between the n and s because men is already plural.)

I don't want to go to the meeting. (Don't is short for do not.)

You don't need an apostrophe for plurals.

You can have bananas or carrots. (A simple plural.)

The analysts attended the meeting. (Another simple plural.)

What about names like Jones? Our tip is always remember the film:

Bridget Jones's Diary. (This means the diary belonging to Bridget Jones.) It's also correct to write:

Bridget Jones' Diary.

We have a soft spot for the UK-based Apostrophe Protection Society. You'll find more useful advice from them at www.apostrophe.fsnet.co.uk

Managing your time better

We subscribe to Robyn Pearce's e-zine, Free Top Time Tips. Her website is www.gettingagripontime.com You can subscribe by clicking on the website and signing up.

Humour makes for a happy workplace

That's the title of an article in The Dominion Post, Wednesday 25 May 2005. It's based on an interview with The Training Practice Director, Hilary Bryan. You'll find it on our website.

Training and team building venue

If you're looking for an out-of-town venue with a difference, check out www.adventurewaikato.co.nz It's got accommodation, training facilities and a wide range of outdoor activities, including caving and abseiling.