Focus on soft skills
Naeem “Nick” Noorani


I was invited last month to speak at the University of Ottawa on the topic of leveraging immigrant talent. There I met Dr. Linda Manning, who has done an incredible job in creating a free, interactive, computer-based training program for small and medium-sized enterprises called Leveraging Immigrant Talent to Strengthen Canadian Business.

The training modules are designed to help managers better understand their own talent management practices, recognize high-potential employees — in particular their immigrant employees, and create a pool of qualified management candidates. (Check out her website leadershipdiversity.ca for more.)

I also sat in on Dr. Lionel Laroche’s workshop presentation, which discussed one part of my favourite career-related subjects — soft skills for immigrants. Laroche explained so well that immigrants come to Canada with an abundance of technical skills — almost 90 per cent versus 10 per cent of soft skills, whilst the average Canadian worker has 60 per cent soft skills and 40 per cent technical. This latter ratio tends to mirror what most Canadian employers actually seek!

Yet so many immigrants do not recognize their lack of soft skills. And because they keep hearing “no Canadian experience” at interviews, they heap on more technical skills on top of their existing ones, but don’t account more for soft skills such as:


time management
interpersonal skills
presentation skills
written skills
public speaking
listening skills
conflict resolution
anger management
business etiquette

The importance of each of these soft skills obviously depends on the job function. Someone in sales would need more interpersonal and presentation skills than someone in IT, for example. But it’s generally understood among hiring managers that while you can train someone to upgrade their technical skills, it’s very difficult to change someone’s demeanour.

While many readers may insist they have these skills and have used them in their home country, the fact is that there may be a huge difference in the way those skills are applied in Canada!

I continue to be amazed by immigrants who send me emails that make no sense. One person wrote: “I immigrate want but father problem. Please help.” Another was an email from a highly qualified immigrant who wrote to me asking for a job in ALL CAPS! I receive many emails with no body text but resumés attached. I feel for them. They are using the styles they were accustomed to in their home country where a person would look for their technical skills and overlook the way they present those skills.

Many immigrants feel insulted and get defensive when told they lack soft skills and respond by talking of their technical aptitude. Of course, unconsciously, over a few years, they do develop them. But how much easier would their journey be if they worked on developing these skills earlier on! Many immigrants don’t learn them at all and stay in jobs that are far below their skill-set and bemoan the unfairness of it all!

My suggestion — recognize the need for these soft skills and start working on them and you will see how your career will take off!

Let me tell you about a bright young lady who walked up to me at an event and introduced herself. She has been in Canada for five years and has been an avid reader of Canadian Immigrant, having read every single issue. She stated that she wanted to connect with networking groups and with other immigrants! Additionally, she volunteers with a leadership mentoring program that has helped her grow! This is where she’s going to nurture her soft skills and learn to adapt to the Canadian workplace environment. Most important perhaps is the positive way in which she’s approaching her journey.

Technical skills may help you get the job, but it is the soft skills and attitude that will help you retain the job and grow!

As winter approaches, homeowners should look at making homes more efficient
by Lauren Krugel, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Thursday, October 15, 2009provided bymoney.thecanadianpress.com

CALGARY - Once the snow starts swirling and the wind starts howling outside their windows this winter, many Canadian homeowners can take some comfort in knowing they'll be paying less to stay warm.

Outside of Atlantic Canada, where more than half of all homes used oil for heat in 2003 (the most recent figures available), the majority of Canadian households use natural gas.

With the price of that fuel the lowest it's been in seven years, those consumers will notice the difference on their utility bills, said Michael Cleland, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Gas Association.

"At least for the first part of the heating season and probably well into it, what consumers are going to see is a pretty affordable price of natural gas," he said.

As of the end of September, the average residential natural gas commodity cost was about 45 per cent lower than a year ago, according to the CGA.

And the bargain prices should stick around at least over the first half of the winter, since the prices of consumers' bills tend to lag the spot market for natural gas by a few months.

"There's no question that consumers are going to see something this winter that is down from last year, and even more from the year before," said Cleland.

The reason for the dirt-cheap heating costs is twofold.

On one hand, enormous supplies of natural gas have been flowing into the North American market, mainly from shale rock formations that until recently were too technically difficult to tap into.

At the same time, the recession has dampened demand from industrial users, like manufacturers.

Direct Energy, a natural gas and electricity provider in Canada and the United States, has been able to pass on those savings to customers, said spokeswoman Lynzey MacRae.

But how those changes are reflected depends on whether customers have opted for a variable or fixed price plan, she said.

While variable plans "may offer value in a declining market, they do require that consumers pay close attention to changes in market conditions that could trigger increases in their pricing."

A fixed plan, on the other hand, offers more stability, said MacRae.

"Customers know what price they will pay for the term of their contract, and don't have to deal with the kind of dramatic price fluctuations we've seen over the past year."

The lower natural gas prices are no doubt welcome, but there are several relatively easy and inexpensive ways for consumers to squeeze more savings out of their home heating costs this winter, said Ken Elsey, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Centre.

"The first thing is, stop air leaks. Caulking is probably the cheapest thing that a consumer can do to save on their heating costs," he said.

"Look at how you use heat," Elsey adds. For instance, Close the heat register in rooms that aren't begin occupied on a regular basis.

"It's not rocket science. That's the part that surprises me. It's just trying to change behaviour is the biggest problem that we face."

A home can lose up to 30 per cent of its heat through poorly fitted windows and doors, said Dave Walton, director of Home Ideas for Direct Energy.

Making sure your furnace's filter is clean could save about 10 per cent on heating costs, Walton added.

"If the furnace filter is clogged, it's going to work that much harder to operate, and in fact could cause premature breakdown of the equipment as well."

The greatest savings could come from investing a newer, higher efficiency furnace over the long run, but that comes with an up front cost of a few thousand dollars at least.

"Many homes still have furnaces that are upwards of 18, 19, 20 years old. And those furnaces, when they were manufactured, were manufactured to only operate at about 60 per cent efficiency," Walton said.

"And what that means is 40 cents of every dollar they're spending is going right up the chimney."

In contrast newer furnaces can be up to 96 per cent efficient.

Walton also suggests homeowners look into getting an energy audit, in which any potential leaks or other problems can be identified. Any work that results from the audit may be eligible for a provincial or federal rebate.

"If homeowners are planning to make any kind of changes to their home... they'd be wise to look into getting an energy audit done."

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/bir...ntpregnanc.htm :source

Withdrawal
The effectiveness of withdrawal depends upon the man's ability to withdraw his penis from the vagina before he ejaculates. This method does not guarantee that pre-ejaculatory sperm has not been released into the vagina and does not provide protection against AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, or infections.

Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM)
Women who are breast feeding exclusively may be protected against pregnancy for up to 6 months after the birth if her period has not returned. This method is highly effective when used correctly. LAM works by preventing an egg from being released from your ovary. Once you begin to feed your baby food other than breast milk, or when your period returns you need to choose another method of birth control.

The Pill
The pill is the first contraceptive that most women think of when considering birth control. Today the pill is available as combined oral contraceptives (COC) which contain both estrogen and progestin, or in progestin only pills (POP) which contain only progestin.


Interuterine Devices (IUD)
The IUD has experienced some bad publicity in the past when the Dalkon Shield was associated with a high incidence of pelvic infections, infertility, and some deaths. However, today's IUDs have one of the lowest failure rates of any contraceptive method. An IUD is a T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus by a health care professional. There are two types of IUD available, the Paragard CopperT 380A which protects against pregnancy for 10 years, and the Progestasert Progesterone T which must be replaced every year. The IUD is an appropriate choice for those in long term monogamous relationships who are not at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases or infections.


Diaphragm
The diaphragm is available by prescription and is sized by a health care professional to ensure a proper fit. The diaphragm works by covering the cervix with a dome-shaped rubber disk with a flexible rim to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. A spermicidal is applied to the diaphragm before insertion to kill sperm. The diaphragm may be left in place for 6 hours, however for repeated sexual intercourse or intercourse after 6 hours spermicide should be inserted into the vagina while the diaphragm is still in place. Diaphragms should never be left in for more than 24 hours due to risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS).


Cervical Cap
The cervical capis similar to the diaphragm. It is a soft rubber cup with a roundedrim and is sized to fit, by a health car professional, tightly around the cervix. Like the diaphragm, spermicide is required with the cervical cap. It protects against pregnancy for 48 hours and for multiple acts of sexual intercourse during this time. Prolonged use (over 48 hours) may increase the risk of TSS and can produce a foul odor or discharge.

An Important Message About Condoms
Condoms should always be used, in addition to any other birth control methods, by anyone who is not in a long term monogamous relationship. Care should be taken not to use oil-based lubricants (petroleum jelly, lotions, or baby oil) with latex or lambskin condoms as they can weaken the material.

Women today have the choice of using the traditional male condom, or using the female condom. The Reality® condom is approved by the FDA and is shaped similar to the male condom. The closed end has a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina, up to 8 hours before sexual intercourse, while the open end remains partly outside the vagina. The female condom should never be used at the same time your partner is using a male condom.

Condoms, whether male or female, are intended for one-time use and should never be reused. If the cost of condoms is an issue for you, visit your local family planning clinic. Many family planning clinics will happily give you as many condoms as you need.

Don't Be Fooled
Maybe you have heard that you cannot get pregnant on your period, or if you don't have an orgasm, or if your partner pulls out before ejaculation that pregnancy won't occur--these are not true! Perhaps someone has told you that douching will wash away the sperm before pregnancy can occur. Not only does douching not work to prevent pregnancy, it can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and increase your risk of other STDs and infections. Don't be fooled--the only 100% effective method of preventing pregnancy is abstinence.

Sarah Huttinger (Jennifer Aniston) is a New York Times journalist who is stuck writing the obituary column. Sarah has just got engaged to Jeff Daly (Mark Ruffalo), and she is not sure she is ready for marriage. They fly to Pasadena to attend her younger sister's wedding, and Sarah wants to keep the engagement quiet. Sarah tells Jeff that her family it a typical Pasadena tennis-playing family that is obsessed with the City of Pasadena and NFL football. Sarah has never fit in with her family, and she wonders why? She uncovers a secret about her family involving Beau Burroughs (Kevin Costner), a wealthy internet business genius. Rumor has it that "The Graduate" (book and movie) was based on his life. Sarah searches for the truth and becomes an addition to the tale. Douglas Young (the-movie-guy)

An elderly man in Mumbai calls his son in New York and says,

'I hate to ruin your day son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 35 years of marriage... and that much misery is enough!'

'Dad, what are you talking about?' the son screams.

'We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,' the old man says.

'We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!'

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.

'Like heck they're getting divorced,' she shouts, 'I'll take care of this.'

She calls Mumbai immediately, and screams at the old man, 'You are not getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then , don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR??' and she hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. 'Okay', he says, 'It's all set. They're both coming for our anniversary and paying their own airfare!!'



MORAL:

No man / woman is busy in this world all 365 days.

The sky is not going to fall down if you take few days LEAVE and meet your dear ones.

OFFICE WORK IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE and MONEY MAKING IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE.