I may have some bias as the Just Being presenters and I have become close friends after this experience… but I’m pretty sure they’ll become your close friends too if you choose to go on the EQ Journey with them.

James, the pioneer of the course, has a very cool bio which actually ties into what he does and what I experienced: “we take borrowed truths to become knowledgeable but to be knowledgeable is not to know”. Why do I mention this? The reason I mention this is that there is no step-by-step process to building the perfect team. Someone else’s truth or what they experienced most likely won’t work for you.

Every single team is different and has different components and variables. You know your team best which is your truth or your experience and you know where it needs improvement and where it’s strong points are. Ultimately what James does is simply show you a way to communicate within a team or just human to human. You will then have clearer conversations with your team and in the end you will have real data, real insights and real thoughts from everyone involved which will put you in the best position to make the right decisions for yourself and for your team.

The strange thing is James or the Just Being course doesn’t tell you what to do to build a better team nor does he give you any guidelines or direction. He simply guides you with how to engage with people and how to communicate clearly. This is ultimately the backbone of any strong team. Once you are all communicating clearly it’s up to you what you do from there.

Conflict Resolution – When we can discern people’s emotions and empathize with their perspective it’s much easier to resolve conflicts and possibly avoid them before they start. We are also better at negotiation due to the very nature of our ability to understand the needs and desires of others. It’s easier to give people what they want if we can perceive what it is.

Success – Higher emotional intelligence helps us to be stronger internal motivators which can reduce procrastination, increase self-confidence and improve our ability to focus on a goal. It also allows us to create strong networks of support, overcome setbacks and persevere with a more resilient outlook. Our ability to delay gratification and see the long-term directly affects our ability to succeed.

Leadership – The ability to understand what motivates others, relate in a positive manner and to build stronger bonds with others in the workplace inevitably makes those with higher emotional intelligence better leaders. An effective leader can recognize what the needs of his people are so that those needs can be met in a way that encourages higher performance and satisfaction at work. An emotionally savvy and intelligent leader is also able to build stronger teams by strategically utilizing the emotional diversity of their team members to benefit the team as a whole.

Emotions play a very critical role in the overall quality of our personal and professional lives, more critical than even our actual measure of brain intelligence. While tools and technology can help us to learn and master information, nothing can replace our ability to learn, manage and master our emotions and the emotions of those around us.

Thought I’d put a couple interesting facts down about EQ:
Emotions’ are the biggest motivator of human actions.
They make you survive, make love (reproduce), create social bonds and be moral.
If you want to strong team, then motivations are pretty critical.

EQ > IQ. 85% of your financial success is due to your personality and ability to communicate, negotiate and lead. Shockingly, only 15% is due to your IQ. FACT guys and girls!

Self-awareness is the key. The earlier you recognize an emotion the more choice you have in dealing with it. You gain more self-awareness through meditation.

70% of male leaders in top 15% in decision-making skills score highest in EQ!

I don’t want to give too much away but basically, if you’ve got a team I highly recommend doing it.

ADHD kicking in now… Oh look there’s a squirrel!

CIAO – David

The post JustBeing.life & SwiftMomentum’s EQ journey within the work space appeared first on Swift Momentum.

Just follow the instructions below to enter the giveaway:

• Send us an email by clicking the button below.
• Be sure to include in your email the name, surname, email address and cell phone number of the developer you are referring.
• If your developer is amongst the first 3 to get placed in a new position, we’ll be in touch to award you with your new Skype phone!

The post October 2013 Giveaway appeared first on Swift Momentum.

As they are on opposing teams in the Great Social Media Wars, it’s unlikely Instagram will start supporting Twitter Cards anytime soon, which is why Wired reporter Michael Calore generously shared his hack to get around it, which involves using Tumblr. But if you use a service called IFTTT, there’s an even simpler workaround than this.

Sign up for IFTTT

IFTTT (which stands for “If this, than that”) is a crazy wonderful service that helps you connect all the stuff you use on the Internet. It lets you create “recipes” to link up different services you use, and Instagram and Twitter are among these services. Some popular recipes include automatically backing up iPhone photos through email, and automatically cross-posting from Twitter to Facebook. Signing up is free, and just requires a valid email address.

IFTTT used to have a beef with Twitter, but that’s all done now. And an IFTTT user called djuiceman created a recipe that allows you to post your Instagram photos directly onto Twitter.

So once you sign up, go to djuiceman’s recipe and click “Use Recipe.”

If you haven’t already activated your Twitter and Instagram channels, you will need to go through that authentification process, which only takes a minute. Once you activate the recipe, a trigger will fire whenever you upload a photo to Instagram, automatically posting it to Twitter.

Upload your photos and be the envy of everyone who hasn’t figured this out yet

Now you have all your social media photo ducks in a line. Start using that Toaster filter. Every time you take an Instagram photo, IFTTT will activate its recipe to post them to Twitter. Boom. Your Instagram photo will be embedded on Twitter, caption and all.

The post Embedding photos on Twitter! appeared first on Swift Momentum.

Here’s a photo of some of the team and Johnny!

The post The team at the Johnny Clegg concert! appeared first on Swift Momentum.

Create a prolific and intelligent online presence

Turn yourself into a brand with an original and well-informed online presence. Use all available tools to build yourself a following: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram.  Are you blogging? Are you engaging in conversation with key industry players? Are you following the influencers and staying abreast of the latest creative and technical industry news?

Your employers are bound to check your mastery of the digital realm before deciding whether to hire you. Make sure you have a lively, fresh and coherent online presence that proves you know how to use the net to make a real impact.

Know the industry inside out

Know which agencies are running which accounts. Scour the web for the latest digital and integrated campaigns, and form an educated opinion on them. Find out who is winning which awards, and follow the work of those teams. Know which agencies are hiring and which are firing; who is winning the big accounts and who is losing them. Find out why.

Useful websites such as Between 10and5, Memeburn and MarkLives will keep you up to date with local industry news.

For global happenings, follow TechCrunch, Mashable, Smashing Magazine and ReadWrite.

Network

With access to social media tools such as Twitter, networking is easier than it has ever been.  Initiate conversations with the big players and stay connected. Go to industry events such as Digital Cowboys, Creative Mornings, PechKucha and Girl Geek Dinners.Follow your favourite designers on Behance. Become an active member of the industry by staying engaged.

Research & innovate

Before going to an interview, ensure you know the agency’s work inside out. Create strategic ideas of your own that you think could strengthen a campaign or impress a client. Innovation and passion will get you everywhere.

Speak the language

It is vital that you know how to speak digital, even if you are not a developer. Know the difference between PHP and .Net, and why you would choose to code in any particular language. Gain an understanding of how certain functionality requirements need specific languages and platforms to work.

Get a grasp of the basic principles of SEO and PPC, and know which mailing systems are breaking new ground. Even if you’re on the Client Service team, know how to use Photoshop or Gimp, and the basics of HTML. Try websites such as Codeacademy for free online tutorials.

Create a (brilliant) online portfolio

Set up a bog or online portfolio of your work to present to potential employees at any given time. You can add certain elements to your LinkedIn profile, too.

Let your passion lead you

Being passionate about the digital realm will spill over into everything you do, and is sure to impress your potential employers. Demonstrate openly how much you love all things digital by staying abreast of the coolest new apps, sharing the campaigns that have impacted you and connecting with new, young talent to make creative ideas come alive.

The post How to get the job at a digital agency appeared first on Swift Momentum.

That’s why we’re giving away tickets to both the short and long races for the second event of the Cape Winter Trail Series.

Simply send us an email (click the button below) with the subject line “I want to run like the wind” and tell us why you would like to win these tickets. Don’t forget to include your contact details in the email.

Photo Credit: Nick Muzik

The post August Giveaway appeared first on Swift Momentum.

The event includes running, walking or cycling through the picturesque vineyards of the Durbanville wine route, and joining in the “jolyt” of the Sauvignon Blanc festival. All age groups and fitness levels are welcome to participate in the fight against cancer.

Trail runs and walks:

4km: Start D’Aria, Altydgedacht through the Poplar Forest and back to D’Aria @ R150. (11:00)

15km: Start D’Aria, Altydgedacht, Durbanville Protea Hotel, through Majik Forest back to D’Aria @ R200. (10:30)

Cycling:

15km: Start D’Aria, Bloemendal, Maastricht, Durbanville Hills and back to D’Aria
@ R200. (10:15)

35km: Start D’Aria, De Grendel, Durbanville Hills, Bloemendal, Altydgedact and back to D’Aria
@ R250. (10:00)

We are proud to be a part of raising awareness and funds for such a worthwhile cause.

The post WIN a ticket to the Cipla Cancer Buddies Walk or Cycle for HOPE appeared first on Swift Momentum.

So we’ve been busy with our daily lives trying to explore every day and new happenings. While experiencing this journey it wouldn’t hurt to simply think about the benefits of eco-friendly life.

We’ve listed some environmentally conscious apps which don’t require extra efforts from you to lead a greener life. You will be inspired to live one after reading about them.

GoodGuide– Available on iOS and Android.

GoodGuide  allows you to scan the barcodes of more than 170,000 products to see if they’re safe, healthy, green and socially responsible. You can look up ingredients, nutritional value, animal welfare, human rights, energy efficiency and more. It also has various categories from food, to baby and kids, to household cleaners.

Green Power Battery Saver–  Available on Android.

The app provides more life to your battery by automatically turning Wi-Fi, bluetooth and mobile data on when you need them and off when you don’t need them.

 iRecycle– Available on iOS.

As the name suggests with iRecycle, you can know about more than 1 million ways to recycle along with tips for improving your own lifestyle and the latest in green news.

Green Kitchen– Available on iOS.

Green Kitchen is a treasure of organic vegetarian recipes that are handpicked and easy to follow. You will be able to cook sustainable food that require less energy consumption.

Green Genie– Available on iOS.

The app is “your complete guide to a sustainable lifestyle.” Developed by professionals, Green Genie offers huge database of green tips, sustainable projects and valuable resources.

Locavore– Available on iOS and Android.

Locavore finds farmers and farmer’s markets in your areas with in-season, local food for you with your phone’s GPS. The app also gives you directions, lists of what’s in season and recipes.

Brain Cafe GeoQuiz– Available on iOS and Android.

This app not only tests you on your geographical knowledge, from capital cities to natural extreme but also provides fun information about the planet — and learning about what needs to be done for it.

UNEP Carbon Calculator– Available on iOS.

Everyone knows about the dangers of Greenhouse gases and the effects they have on global climate change. UNEP Carbon Calculator lets you calculate how much CO2 is emitted when you travel and what can you do to help.

Wunderlist– Available on iOS.

Is your desk or refrigerator loaded with post-it notes? Wunderlist will help you replace them by keeping online track of your to-do list thus increasing your productivity.

SOLARCHECKER– Available on iOS.

This app provides information about solar radiation at your exact residence or office location, and helps you set up solar panels for alternative energy if required.

The post Here’s a cool article for you “Cape Tonian Environmentally Conscious Hipster Tech Heads” that we thought you’d like… appeared first on Swift Momentum.

The Homestead actively participates in improving the plight of street children, from first contact with social workers on the street right through to mending family relationships, empowering impoverished parents through skill training projects and providing long-term placements in a permanent home.

Please feel free to drop off any old clothes at our offices or someone from Swift Momentum can come collect. Please feel free to donate anything at all that could help this awesome organisation support the homeless street kids of Cape Town.

The post Supporting and Helping the Homestead in July appeared first on Swift Momentum.

1. Do your research
Before your job interview, make sure you’ve researched every detail of the company. Find out more about their culture, their key accounts, campaigns they may have run or recent successes they may have experienced.  Find out about their values, their gains and losses, and who their competitors are. Sign up to their newsletters and follow them on Twitter.

It’s also important to keep up to date with industry news, both locally and globally. Social media provides a great tool for this: get involved in debates on Twitter and follow the Influencers on LinkedIn. The more knowledgeable you are, the more enthusiastic and engaged you will be in your interview.

Lastly, research the details of your prospective role. What are your responsibilities, and how can your previous experience contribute to the job requirements? Who is your manager? How big is your team? What is the industry-standard salary for this job?

Being well prepared is essential if you want to make a lasting impression.

2. Find out who is interviewing you
Depending on the job, you could be interviewed by any number of people. Perhaps it will be your direct manager, the HR representative, or even a group of people picked from a particular department. Know who you will be facing in the job interview and prepare accordingly.

3. Know your strengths
Think of yourself as a brand. Why would people buy into you? What are your strengths? What are your outstanding qualities? What differentiates you from the rest?

Write down your achievements, your successes, your skills, and the unique qualities that make you stand out. Think carefully about how these strengths can contribute to the company and the role. Ask yourself: why should they hire me? It is vital that you are confident in your abilities. If you believe you are the right fit for the role, and have the evidence to support it, then selling yourself in the interview will be an easy task.

4. Arrive prepared
Job interviews often follow a similar pattern. Think about what questions they will ask you, and prepare your answers accordingly.

Arrive with a hard copy of your CV, but make sure you know that document like the back of your hand.

5. Dress for success
Dress appropriately for the role. You want to look and feel confident and professional, whilst still being true to your own style and personality.

Remember to smile, look your interviewer in the eye, and be warm and friendly without being overly familiar. If your interviewer likes you as a person, you’re more likely to stand out.

6. Stay calm
Speaking from a place of calm and composure is sure to impress your interviewer. You want to avoid nervous blunders, a sweaty-palmed handshake and adrenaline-fuelled fidgeting. Don’t drink too much coffee before going in – this will simply add to the anxiety. Stand up tall and breathe deeply. Remember that you are confident, capable and fully prepared.

7. Think before you speak
Remember that you don’t need to answer each question immediately. Take a moment to think carefully about your answer before blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. Take a deep breath before speaking, and make sure you look your interviewer in the eye.

8. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself
Modesty doesn’t count in an interview. Don’t sell yourself short in order to appear humble. Speak openly about your achievements and strengths.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Remember that you have the right to ask questions, too. Not only will this show an interest in the company and your prospective role, but it will help to alleviate your own nerves.

10. Keep in touch with your agency
After your job interview, it is important to keep in contact with your agency. Let them know how the interview went, and they’ll be able to advise on your next steps.

Good luck!

The post Top ten tips to nailing a job interview appeared first on Swift Momentum.