References

As there are currently no legal requirements on a person applying for a job as a nanny, the employer must be confident as far as possible that they are making the right decision about employing you. You should expect all prospective employers to check your identity, background, qualifications and employment history. At an interview you will be asked for proof of identity and at least two references.

Proof of identity

You can use your birth certificate, passport or full driving licence as proof of your identity. Agencies and/or employers will need to see the originals as photocopying can disguise forgeries. At least one of these forms of identity must carry a photograph.

References

Employers will usually ask you for at least two references, even if you are from a nanny agency. One reference should be from your current or last employer. If you are a student straight from college, you should supply a reference from your college tutor and another reference from your final work placement. Ask permission from the person before you give their details as a referee.

A potential employer will contact your referees and ask them about:

- your work when they employed you as a nanny/nursery nurse
- how they rated your care of the children
- why you left their employment
- what your strengths and weaknesses were
- any difficulties they think you might have if you were left in sole charge of a child
- any health problems and sick leave you had during your employment
- whether they would consider re-employing you.

Your Professional Portfolio

You should prepare and organize a professional portfolio. If you prepare a well-presented professional portfolio in advance, with all the relevant documents that will be required when you are invited for an interview, it will save time when you apply for jobs or register with a nanny agency.

Having a well-presented portfolio will demonstrate to potential employers that you are well organized and have a professional attitude towards your career as a nanny.

Your professional portfolio may include:

- school examination certificates
- college certificate or diploma
- first aid certificate
- basic food hygiene certificate
- curriculum vitae
- written references
- statement of your childcare philosophy
- examples of previous work with children
- relevant college assignments
- Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records bureau (if you have one).

You can use a display or presentation album with plastic pockets to organize your portfolio. Your portfolio should include the originals of your school examination certificates and college certificate or diploma. Make sure that your first aid certificate is up-to-date.

Your curriculum vitae and references should also be updated as you gain more work experience and/or further qualifications. You could also include examples of previous work with young children or relevant college assignments, e.g. activity plans suitable for a young child in the home or working with parents in a family setting.

Consumers these days are becoming more adept at lowering their telecommunication costs, but in such a competitive market, this is not the hardest of tasks. Newly introduced SIM-only mobile contract plans allow the consumer to do just that – save money on their monthly mobile phone bill.

SIM-only deals allow the consumer to keep their handset, so they only need to pay for the card. It is well-known that the SIM is good value for money. For instance, T-Mobile and Virgin both charge £10.21 a month which includes unlimited texts, and 100 and 200 minutes respectively. Vodafone charge £10.50 a month for the use of their phone network.

A SIM-only deal presents affordable rates for texts and voice minutes. Vodafone provides international SIM cards that offer competitive rates. Orange SIM deals offer reduced rates providing the customer pre-pays. T-Mobile SIM-only deals offer flexible ‘boosters’, unlimited landline calls starting at £10.50 per month. The network company O2 advertises a ‘simplicity’ price, which resembles the SIM deals offered by other networks. With O2 you can also get a ‘bolt-on’, for unlimited mobile and landline calls at £15.00 per month.

The user who buys a SIM deal can change companies as frequently as desired. Almost any SIM card can be used in most mobile phones, though some may need unlocking by the phone manufacturer.

Another added benefit of having a SIM-only plan is that you only have to give ten days’ notice to terminate the SIM card service. Consumers appreciate the flexibility of being able to do this. Clients can select from a 1 month, 3 month and 12 month contract. The twelve month option offers greater savings per month, but the one month and three month contracts allow more flexibility.

In the UK there are 5 major networks. Vodafone provides 70% of the 3G coverage in the UK, T-Mobile provides the largest Wi-Fi network worldwide and Orange has the greatest number of base stations in the UK. O2 was the first network to offer the iPhone and 3 Mobile are well-known for offering a superior internet service.

You can compare SIM-only deals and buy a SIM-only tariff if you just want to replace the card. SIM-only deals can be found on-line and are ideal if you don’t want to change the handset, but want to change the carrier.

The best prices are to be found on-line. SIM-only deals can be easily obtained from a number of web sites. It is best to take the time to do research. The major networks are listed on several websites with their current deals presented in a way that makes comparison shopping very easy. It is a good idea to keep up-to-date and be on the look-out for the best deals. The rates fluctuate and new mobile phones are always coming in to the market.

The greatest organizations survive because they consistently evolve and tweak themselves and their approaches enough to remain vital, vibrant and relevant. In over three decades of training, advising and working closely with a large number of leaders, the most consistent factor remains that change is inevitable, and leaders willing and able to successfully change and transform both themselves and their organizations flourish, while others often fade into oblivion. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy stated, “Change is the law of life. Those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.”

1. For organizations and leadership, successful change is dependent on a commitment to strategic planning. This must not be a one time process or procedure, but rather a long term commitment to excellence and performance. This planning must include continuous evaluation and re- evaluation of the needs of the organization, as well as any related societal changes and value changes. However, organizations must do this in gradations, to avoid turning off committed members. It is often a delicate line and balance between needed change and overly changing an organization’s mission. The most successful maintain their essential vision and mission, by updating it to make it more relevant to the present, and keeping an eye on the future.

2. Many organizations run events or conferences/ conventions, and I have all too often witnessed an unwillingness to change how they run these programs. Past organizers repeatedly state how they did it “in the day” and what worked for them then. While a knowledge of the past as part of an overall planning process is important, there is sometimes a line between being mired in the past, and not remaining relevant.

3. The budget process is a perfect example of the need to consistently evaluate things with an eye to the future. I have often witnessed organizations who simply prepare their budgets by looking at their present ones, and deciding to add or not. The most successful method of budgeting, and the only one that actually reflects on the past while looking to the future is zero- based budgeting. This means that in the budget process, an organization must consistently review and evaluate its needs, priorities, vision and goals, and prioritize its expenses. Budgets that are not used as priority setting documents, or are simply prepared because they have to be by statute, etc., are often not worth the effort, time, or even the paper they are printed on. Every organization must look at its revenues and expenses as a vehicle to help achieve maximum viability and impact.

If you wish to become a leader, and you wish to achieve greatness, then you must be willing to adapt and change. While a great leader must be unswerving in his commitment to his vision and always maintain absolute integrity, he must always be willing to adapt when needed to improve.

Are you aware that communication is really only 10% verbal? Nearly all of what we communicate is in the tone of our voice (30%) and our actions (60%). Your prospect’s behavior provides clues regarding how they are feeling, which informs you how to proceed in your presentation. Remember body gestures goes for both you and your prospect. You should be aware of personal behavior too to get the perfect reaction out of your audience. Bear these in your mind when speaking to a possible member:

1. The Eyes Say It All

The best facet of body gestures is eye contact. This conveys respect, confidence, reliability, and truthfulness. Likewise, not doing this conveys fear, disinterest, insufficient confidence, shame, and secretiveness.

You need to maintain eye-to-eye contact while probing and building rapport with your prospect. Take a look at them longer and much more frequently than at the presentation material. It is essential to maintain eye contact when you are attempting to close your prospect.

In case your prospect does not wish to look you in the eye, the chances are they are not interested in what you are saying at the moment or they may be intimidated by you. Attempt to make them fell more comfortable by providing them something to drink or eat, or discuss common interests along with other stuff you both enjoy and are passionate about.

2. Let Your Arms Lead

Your arms can convey great emotion. Use grand gestures for top emotion, and keep your arms still for quiet, intense moments. In any event don’t cross your arms. This highly defensive position conveys anger or indifference. It practically screams, “I do not care.”

In case your prospect crosses his arms, he’s likely implementing a defensive position towards something you stated. Attempt to re-engage them by shifting the main focus back on them and what they need. Encourage them to participate. Rather than concentrating on ideas, ask what they think about what you have talked about.

3. Bridging the Space

Whenever possible, sit beside your prospect. Getting a desk between you simply underscores the first emotional distance between both of you. Bridge it to take a seat together and speaking as equals. Give consideration to how comfortable they are with your distance. Should you sense them tugging back of from you, you might be intruding on their own personal space and really should back away.

4. Find the correct Angles

To put it simply, we position ourselves to face people we love or we are drawn to, and position ourselves from individuals who repel us. Face your body towards your prospect while speaking to them, slanting or leaning forward to bodily “listen” to what they are saying. Likewise, whenever a prospect sways in your direction this means they are interested in what you have to say.

5. Handshakes Made Easy

To start with, make certain both hands are dry and warm! Nobody likes chilly, sticky hands that shows its owner’s anxiety. A strong grip in your handshake implies that you are confident, friendly, and reliable.

Whenever your hands are palms-up, they convey friendliness and openness. Palms down convey dominance and perhaps even aggressiveness. This usually comes to play when shaking hands for the first time. It is best to offer a level upright handshake in order to show you are on equal footing.

6. Watch Individuals Legs

Restless, legs betray nerves and stress. Keep them in check by planting both feet on the floor. Just like crossing your arms, crossing your legs is really a no-no. The “Figure 4″ shows you as arrogant, close-minded, or defensive. Whenever your prospect performs this themselves, attempt to engage them in friendly, non-threatening manner.