Communicate Blog

South African port infrastructure crucial for business

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) announced plans to spend over R21bn over the next seven years on improvements of infrastructure of South African ports.

In December 2012 Durban received three new tandem lift ship-to-shore cranes for the Durban Container Terminal that are the first of their kind on the continent. This is only the start as TNPA's GM of infrastructure, port planning and development, Hamilton Nxumalo, says the upgrades will eliminate the bottlenecks that have constrained the functioning of the port in the past.

As major shipping lanes pass along the South African coastline in the south Atlantic and Indian oceans the development and opportunities South African ports offer are vital for the countries growth and development. Approximately 96% of the country's exports are conveyed by sea, and the eight commercial ports are the channels for trade between South Africa and its southern African partners.

Cape Town
Handles the largest amount of fresh fruit, and the port also has large repair and maintenance services that are used by a number of large fishing fleets and parts of the West African oil industry.

Durban
Durban is Africa's busiest port and the largest container facility in Southern Africa. Further plans for expansion include a multibillion-rand dug-out port by Transnet at the old Durban International Airport, expected to be ready by 2019.

East London
South Africa's only remaining river port, it consists of a multi-purpose terminal, a bulk terminal and a car terminal.The port boasts the largest export grain elevator in South Africa, which has recently been converted to handle imports in addition to exports.

Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth's main features are the container terminal, fruit terminal and manganese terminal. The container terminal has the advantage of being able to load railway trains directly under the gantry cranes, without containers having to be double handled, thus speeding up delivery to inland destinations.
The town also has another port -the port of Ngqura, which began commercial ship operations (containers) in October 2009. It is located some 20km northeast of Port Elizabeth and is South Africa's 8th and latest commercial port development.

Richards Bay
This portis the world’s largest bulk coal terminal and it is able to handle large ships and subsequent large volumes. In January 2012, the Swazi link rail project was announced, which would remove general freight traffic from the Richards Bay line and allow more coal trains to Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

Saldanha Bay
The port at Saldanha Bay is the only dedicated iron ore export facility in South Africa and
also houses the South African Naval Station of SAS Saldanha as well as a NSRI rescue station and a fishing harbour.

The ports of South Africa play a most important role in the economy of our country and those of neighboring landlocked members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Therefore the continuous upgrade of infrastructure and increase of capacity of our ports are vital to help the country achieved the targeted growth.

If you are part of the exciting freight industry and looking for a new freight job opportunity, we can assist you with your career development. Communicate Personnel’s Supply Chain/Freight division specialises in both sales and operations in the clearing and forwarding, courier, road freight and supply chain industries.
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Radical idea to reinvent meetings in the workplace

Sun, 19 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

In our tech-enabled work lives, many of us sit in front of a computer all day. And, unless you count dragging a mouse or lifting a cup of coffee, there isn’t a lot of physical activity involved. All this sitting on the job say researchers may be the single most harmful thing we can do to our health.

New evidence suggests, in fact, that the more hours a day you sit, the greater your likelihood of dying an earlier death regardless of how much you exercise or how lean you are. That's right: Even a sculpted six-pack can't protect you from your chair.

Nilofer Merchant suggests a small idea that just might have a big impact on your life and work health. Next time you have a one-on-one meeting, make it into a "walking meeting".

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

New Nuclear Power Plant promises jobs

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

The South African government has indicated that it is set on pursuing its Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030 to construct new nuclear power plants, in order to increase the country’s amount of nuclear- generated electricity to 9.6 GW by 2030. This is to help meet South Africa’s growing electricity needs and in part to reduce the country’s high greenhouse-gas production.

Does South Africa have the necessary skills to accomplish this goal?
It is not clear as to whether we have the required skills to obtain, construct and manage the build of a new nuclear power station, however it can be developed seeing that South Africa already has a growth of proven engineers and scientists in the nuclear field.

What is the cost of this project?
An in-depth study into the financial capability of South Africa's nuclear objective, the cost of building six new nuclear stations can add up to an amount of R1-trillion, that can potentially increase the electricity levy by 16% over the next five years. Even though a determination on new nuclear generation is yet to be made, Eskom has been named the owner and operator of any future nuclear power stations in South Africa.

Critical issues and concerns
Starting this project requires many years of preparation. Infrastructure being the main focus, it needs to be very well structured and detailed planning and not to mention a very high capability of standards. Infrastructure is not the only concern in this development;

Funding, Finance and Human Resources capacity

Nuclear safety

Radiation protection

Radioactive waste

Stakeholder involvement

Security & Physical protection.

Electrical grid

Industrial involvement

Nuclear fuel cycle

Governmental framework

What will South Africa benefit out of this?
The government mention that they will be starting a new nuclear training centre and this will surely have a huge positive impact on our countries economy by, creating sustainable jobs and develop entrepreneurial skills.

Assistance for the project

Because they are interested in being part of this project, Rosatom (international marketing office for Russia’s State-owned, fully-integrated nuclear energy group) will most likely offer South Africa reactor designs.

South Africa can have up to 40% of the primary stage of the 9.6 GW (new NPP construction) project. With the development of the programme to units 7 and 8, localisation can be increased to 60% to 65%.

There are 437 operating nuclear power reactors in the world today according to the agency and this could increase by 80 or 90 in the next 20 years.

In context, this project will be climate friendly, making use of clean energy, solar and wind power.

Do you have experience in the engineering industry? Would you like to explore the opportunities within your field? We at Communicate Personnel specialises in Engineering recruitment, visit our website for the latest and available vacancies.

Author: Mallisa Watson

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Work smart, not hard. Yes sure, but how?

Sun, 12 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

I am sure that you’ve heard this quote one too many times, but what does it mean? How does one work smart and not hard but still get the same positive results in your workplace, personal life or just in general?

Working smart means being effective – focusing on the result we are after, not the method we use to achieve this. Don’t mistake action for effectiveness. You can actually stay busy all day at work without completing anything important. We only have a certain degree of time and energy in our day, so we need to use those resources in a smart way. Use them for things that will benefit you.

Set clear objectives for yourself
Make sure that you understand what is needed and what is important; even if it means that you have to write it down which is actually a good idea to begin with. Do not spend your time and effort on things that will not benefit you at the end of the day and not allow you to reach your goal.

Time management
We all have limited time daily to be at work and get certain things done, so make the most of it. Spend your time on the things that’s the most important or urgent and give yourself a time frame to work on it. Do not rush the project or assignment that you are busy with, otherwise it will come out sloppy and there might just be a chance that you will be required to re-do it and this will end up being a waste of your time.

Stay organized
Keep your desk as manageable as possible. Make sure all the similar projects are in one file or cupboard with dividers in them, because it is unnecessary, time wasting and stressful to have papers and files messed up and laying around on your desk.

Don't delay
Don't let work pile up, sooner or later it will catch up with you and you will have a crisis at hand. If you have set out to do something, get it done immediately instead of putting it off for the next day.

Be smart, and let us at Communicate Personnel help you save time and find you the ideal job. We have Finance jobs in accounting credit management and much more. A variety of Engineering jobs such as electrical engineering, civil engineering and construction. A range of IT jobs which includes Java developers, project managers and Oracle developers. We also specialise in Supply Chain jobs and Freight jobs such as courier, clearing and forwarding sales. Contact us today, we would love to help you.

Author: Mallisa Watson

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Opportunities for South African App developers

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:13:00 GMT

The mobile application space is set to boom across Africa, as several companies committed to grow the developer community in Africa through targeted investments in mobile app development.

One of these, Blackberry recently announced that they are investigating opportunities to support local mobile software application (app) developers in Africa, in a bid to attract more customers and increase black market share. The company has already opened app developer laboratories in Cape Town and Pretoria in the past year and this has resulted in the development of more than 50 local apps.

Another company that also stepped up to the plate is Intel that has entered into an agreement with business incubator iHub to target investments in mobile app development, provide training, and access to online developer resources. They have developed a model that has been used to start more than 30 other tech hubs across Africa, and enjoys a leadership role in the continent due to its size and relationship with the other hubs.

In addition more and more private equity funds locally and internationally are setting specific funds to invest in mobile technology start-ups based in sub-Sahara Africa. One such an example is Savannah Fund with investment from I/O Ventures from Silicon Valley. They have also developed accelerating and mentoring programs like 88mph that are already seeing the light in Nairobi and Cape Town.

The challenge currently for developers is not just the transition to new platforms but also the constant upskill, reskill or acquiring of a new skill fast enough in order to design and deliver on the new solutions. These initiatives by Blackberry and the like are sure to help the developers’ community create locally relevant apps, acquire new skills and job opportunities, as well as new revenue streams.

If you are a mobile developer, java developer, .Net developer, PHP developer or any other developer, we can help you with a new opportunity in your career. Communicate Personnel has a variety of IT jobs that are bound to suite your skills or experience. Contact us today for assistance with your next career move.

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Teamwork, creating effective work circles

Sat, 04 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

In our complex, fast-moving, technology-driven world, collaboration and teams have never been as important as they are now. Teamwork is a very strong element of success in any kind of business or organization. A group of highly talented individuals is not a team. A group of people all brilliant at what they do as individuals can still fail if they do not work together effectively.

So, how can you find ways to get along and create a successful team?

Create a ‘We’ culture
Team building starts at the top. If senior executives encourage an environment where the organization uses less "I" and more "we" in how they communicate, everyone will feel supported, included and important to the organization.

Defined roles
Each team member should know exactly what he or she must do on a day-to-day basis so that the team achieves its goals. Without that clarity, team members will work at cross-purposes and trip each other up.

It’s all about the right team
Studies have indicated that larger teams are more effective. Big teams do have the advantage of drawing on more skill sets, but a larger group of people can also have more trouble reaching a consensus. Small teams can foster closer working relationships. It’s therefore critical to consider the goal when selecting the number of team members. For a small project, you might only need three or four members. Larger, longer-term projects may require a dozen or more members.

Admit your mistakes
It is human to make mistakes, so you should not be afraid to admit that you have made a mistake. One mistake made and corrected will save everyone else in the team from repeating the same mistake. It is important to create an environment that allows for mistakes and turns them into learning opportunities for all.

Clear communications
Without effective team communication, even the most talented group of people cannot reach its full potential. The extra effort teams spend intentionally creating an excellent environment for communication can pay big dividends in the early days of team formation as well as in forging long-term relationships.

Your office or workplace is where you spend many hours of your life, so getting along and working productively with your colleagues is very important. If you feel that you need to change to a different team, we can help. Communicate Personnel specialise in the Finance, IT, Engineering and Supply Chain/Freight industries which includes the following:

Finance jobs in accounting, auditing, taxation, and corporate finance jobs.
A variety of IT jobs ranging from developers to architects, consultants in CRM and ERP, through to project managers and systems engineers.
Engineering jobs in industries like civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, electronic, engineering sales, production and trade.
Supply Chain jobs and Freight jobs in procurement, production, logistics, freight as well as warehousing and distribution.

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Employee engagement a problem in the workplace?

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

What is employee engagement?
Employee engagement is a workplace approach intended to reassure that employees are committed to their companies’ goals and values. They don’t just work for a paycheck, but they are motivated to make sure the company is successful and grow; at the same time they are able to boost their own sense of well- being.

What employee engagement is not?
Employee engagement does not mean employee happiness. Someone might be happy at the workplace but that does not necessarily mean they are working hard and being productive. Employers are struggling to get their employees to engage in the workplace; however there is far too little focus on the problems or issues that relates to engagement.

Here are some tips that will help with employee’s engagement at work;

Observing and empowering leadership by providing a strong strategic description about the organization. Where it use to be, where it currently stands and where it is heading.
Engaging managers who actually listen to their employees and give them the benefit of a doubt to achieve more in the work space and prove themselves.
Employees are seen as fundamental to the solution. Managers or supervisors should lend an ear to their employees, find out their views and opinions on certain issues in the company and find solutions.
Improve employee engagement with cooperation, provide them with flexible working hours and help them to maintain balance between their work and personal life.

Why employee engagement matters?
A commitment from your employees at work has an influence on the company’s performance. Every single employee of your organisation has something to bring to the table and they all have the power to boost the business brand in terms of awareness and turnover.

Company benefits

It reduces absenteeism of employees
Higher sales figures
Better customer service and feedback

Employee engagement is about more than making people feel good about their jobs and paying attention in meetings. It’s vital the more connected employees feel, the easier it is for them to support your organisation’s objectives.

"When you’re engaged, you’re more connected, more tuned in to why what you’re doing is important to the organization, to the customer, whatever. You’re drinking the juice, and you like it.” Robeson.

Are you in the market for a new job? Communicate Personnel is a recruitment specialist with vacancies in Finance jobs, IT jobs, Engineering jobs, Freight jobs and Supply Chain jobs. Visit our website and apply, our consultants are waiting to help you.

Author: Mallisa Watson

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Brics partnership opens opportunities for South African business

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

The recent Brics Summit (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) held in Durban has been hailed as a potentially game-changer with focus on discussions in relation to ways that will give developing countries a bigger voice in world politics and improve their economies. Considering that you had the heads of state of four of the largest economies in the world – collectively representing a fifth of global gross domestic product (GDP) present, the interest in this event is understandable.

The Brics Summit resulted in several positive spinoffs:
This included a signed agreement between a Chinese institution, Sinopec and PetroSA that boosted the possibility of building a crude oil refinery at Coega in the Eastern Cape.

Transnet and China Development Bank agreed to co-operate to help the logistics company diversify funding sources for its capital investment programme. This is especially good news considering Transnet plans to invest up to R300 billion over seven years to expand railways, ports and pipelines in South Africa.

The Brics partnerships gives South Africa an opportunity to increase it’s growth potential. South Africa is able to offer logistical access to the SADC market, as well as legal, financial and management support to firms looking to grow their African presence.

Although sceptics consider the Brics summit just another meaningless diplomatic rhetoric, South Africa’s benefits from Brics engagement to date are large. Last year, South Africa’s exports to emerging markets grew by almost 50%. In addition, South Africa’s trade with the Brics economies rose from a mere 5% of our total trade with the world a decade ago to almost 20% now.

Brics offers many economic opportunities, however the continuous challenge for the Brics is to agree on what kind of mutually beneficial policies should be made a priority, how to strike mutually beneficial agreements on these and how to pursue investment and trade with partner countries.

At a time when the country is grappling with a widening budget and current account deficits, stunted economic growth, high unemployment, stubborn poverty and rising inequality the Brics Summit highlights the importance of creating strategic partnerships that will open up new economic opportunities for all.

The constant changes in the economic environment underlines the importance of employing qualified and skilled Finance staff that will be able to assist your organization to identify new opportunities and navigate in these uncertain times. Communicate Personnel is a specialist Finance recruitment agency. We represent skilled individuals that include Financial Managers, Cost and Management Accountants, Financial Accountant, Internal Auditors, and much more. Contact us today.

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How to achieve efficiency in the workplace

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

Efficiency in the workplace affects a great deal more than your productivity rate. When things aren’t running smoothly, employee morale can take a nosedive and customer satisfaction may plummet, while labour and supplies costs increase. Getting your mind right really can help you get more done, not to mention improving your attitude. A major problem for most people is having too much work and not enough time to do it.

The answer – work smarter not harder:

From: Work Hack

If you need a smart way to find your next career opportunity, contact Communicate Personnel. We will save you valuable time in your job hunt. Communicate Personnel specialise in the Finance, IT, Engineering and Supply Chain/Freight industries which includes the following:

Changing landscape of Supply Chain in South Africa

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:46:00 GMT

The global supply chain management industry is changing which requires a more sophisticated approach to managing the alignment of supply and demand. Also in the South African context, we have seen some key changes in the last year with retailers shifting to centralised distribution, supplying stores from a central point instead of trucking products from manufacturer to individual outlets.

This necessary change were spurred on by the entry of Walmart and the opening up of African markets. Some believe that international players will increase with Tesco also following in the market as they see South Africa’s growing population, which results in increased consumer spend.

However, besides the threat of international players centralised distribution does offer numerous benefits as it gives procurement tighter controls, standardised processes, power to negotiate with vendors and organisation the ability to achieve new efficiencies and savings. Where centralised distribution has been achieved there are savings in this environment of anything from 5% to 7% of supply chain costs.

There is a lot still to be done to drive efficiencies through the supply chain. By focusing on demand planning, improved merchandising strategies and better collaboration between retailers and suppliers, the South African supply chain will no longer be considered ‘highly inefficient and high cost’. And we’ll be ready for Walmart and the rest.

The goal of every organization is to create a competitive advantage through expanding their market and cost cutting, however the key to all of this is profitability. Especially in the retail space the framework of mass production for a mass market is no longer relevant. The changes within the consumer market regarding the demand for product range, variants, and customised solutions have made the supply chain a complex arena.

We understand the importance of having the right people in place within your Supply Chain in your organization. Communicate Personnel is a specialist Supply Chain/ Freight recruitment agency. We represent a variety of top notch candidates ranging from procurement, distribution manager, demand planner, supply chain analyst and more. If you are looking for a new career opportunity, we can also help. Contact us today.

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Job search rejection: How to stay motivated

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

It’s tough handling interview rejections, and I can’t blame anyone who’s been in that position. You spend hours preparing for the interview. After the interview, you think you got your dream job. Only to find out to the contrary. Dealing with the challenges of a job search are never easy, but dealing with rejection doesn’t have to tank your morale.

Focus on the positive side
Many people consider a job interview a measure of personal worth. The decision to hire you has more to do with the companies specific needs and far less with whether you are an experienced professional. You might not have snatched this position but at the very least you’ve learned a thing or two about the interview process and the industry.

Feedback is important
One of the most important ways to deal with rejection is to learn why it is that you didn’t exactly make the cut. It’s not always easy to hear feedback in this regard but it’s the only way you will be able to change or adjust for the next position.

Believe in your strengths
It’s normal to feel distressed after having failed in a job interview. However, blaming yourself won’t help you dealing with rejection. Remember that you have excellent skills and qualities that will be perfectly suited to another company and position – it’s all about finding the right fit.

Forget about the past
Don’t carry any negative feelings associated with failed job interviews in your mind. It might be that this was actually not the right job for you after all, you don't want a job in which you won’t excel, or a culture that would make you miserable, and maybe the hiring manager did you a favor in the long run.

Stay motivated
It can be really tough when you’re getting rejections for jobs that you really want. But the worst things you can do is give up hope. Finding a job requires persistence and resilience. It’s important to remember that when you are job hunting you can be certain that some interviews will go well, some won't but keep at it and you will find your match.

You're looking for a match for your strengths, abilities, and talents. It's not who you are; it what you do. If an employer doesn't choose you for a job, it's not a comment on your character; the employer just doesn't believe your talents fit the job.

If you are looking for a new job and need some assistance from specialist within the industry. Contact Communicate Personnel, we are specialist recruitment agency that focuses on the Finance, IT, Engineering and Supply Chain/Freight industry. We have Finance jobs in accounting, auditing, taxation, and corporate finance jobs. A variety of IT jobs ranging from developers to architects, consultants in CRM and ERP, through to project managers and systems engineers. Engineering jobs in industries like civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, electronic, engineering sales, production and trade. Supply Chain jobs as well as Freight jobs in procurement, production, logistics, freight, warehousing and distribution.

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African development provides opportunities for SA Engineering

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

The last three years have been full of uncertainty for many in the engineering and construction industry. However in Africa, one noticeable constant has been the insatiable demand for infrastructure in all forms. There are significant opportunities for growth in Africa because the continent is significantly underdeveloped. This underdevelopment makes project execution difficult, but it does create opportunities for companies, however, as the infrastructure needed for resource exploitation must be developed.

“To give a sense of scale, about a year ago, we were receiving between two and three enquiries a week around investment strategies into Africa, which has now grown to between 15 and 18 enquiries a week. It’s really ramped up,” this is according to KPMG global Africa COO Anthony Thunstrom.

The reality is that these larger opportunities within Africa present complex challenges, which are too big for smaller, local companies to tackle in isolation. This change in the market has seen an acceleration of mergers and acquisitions involving local and international firms. Local companies possess critical knowledge of local conditions, but complementary skills are critical for the successful delivery of these projects.

Several projects in neighbouring countries have been awarded to South African Engineering firms. The R193m contract to build a 22km access road for Swakop Uranium’s Husab uranium mine in Namibia and the St. Helena airport project are just some of the examples.

Recent reports released predicting that African cities would grow nearly three times faster than the global average over the next three-and-a-half decades, highlights the need for efficient, effective and environmentally sustainable urban infrastructure development.

It would be unwise to ignore the opportunities that Africa can hold for development and growth in the engineering and construction industry, however it’s important that the risk and challenges are taken into consideration. “Africa is difficult to work in. Most South African companies that ventured into the continent did so out of necessity. Some were not paid, others have had difficulties in moving money or struggled with long delays of deliveries and payments; there are also significant challenges with corruption” warns consulting engineering firm Knight Piésold MD Leon Furstenburg.

It doesn’t matter if your engineering company is focusing on local projects within South Africa or moving to take on the challenging African environment , Communicate Personnel can assist in finding you skilled staff. We specialises in Engineering recruitment including Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Resident Engineers, Structural Engineers, and more.

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How to make your LinkedIn profile irresistible

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

If you have been out of the job hunting market for a while, you will be surprise to find that things have changed considerable in the last couple of years. Social Media has made a huge impact in the recruitment of new talent and one platform that is a ‘must have’ for all career seekers is LinkedIn.

It’s important to have a profile that represents a true reflection of your career but also offer potential employers key information that would make you an irresistible hire.

So, if you haven't touched your LinkedIn profile in months or years, it's time to take action. Think of it like a makeover for your professional image.

Here are a few key points to make sure that your LinkedIn profile stands out from your peers.

5 Ways to Make Your Linkedin Profile Irresistible from Social@Ogilvy

Are you currently in the job market? Looking for an interesting vacancy that will help you take the next step in your career? Contact Communicate Personnel, we are a specialist recruitment agency within the Finance, IT, Engineering and Supply Chain/Freight industries. We have a selection of Finance jobs in accounting, auditing, taxation, which includes corporate finance jobs. A variety of IT jobs ranging from developers to architects, consultants in CRM and ERP, through to project managers and systems engineers. Engineering jobs in industries like civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, electronic, engineering sales, production and trade. Supply Chain/Freight jobs in procurement, production, logistics, freight as well as warehousing and distribution.

Big Data trend, will it last?

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:00:00 GMT

The concept of "big data" is receiving a huge amount of attention. IBM has estimated 90 per cent of the world's data has been created in the past two years, and this trend is accelerating.

There is no denying that we are acquiring large amounts of data already. It is estimated about 2.2 terabytes of data a day. The challenge is however, what we do with this massive amount of data. Recently, technology advancements are enabling more and more organizations to make the most of big data and big data analytics. The hopeful vision for big data is that organizations will be able to utilize relevant data and use it to help make important business decisions.

Big data is more than simply a matter of size; it is an opportunity to find insights in new and emerging types of data and content, to make your business more agile, and to answer questions that were previously considered beyond your reach. It is therefore no surprise that the importance of analytic tools to manage the large information sets are becoming vital but also the need to have skilled personnel to perform that important task.

Gartner predicts that 4.4-million IT jobs globally will be created to support big data by 2015.

According to market watchers companies are, and will continue to be, looking for employees with a complex set of skills to tap big data's promise of competitive advantage.

A recent Wired report by Brian Gentile suggested that two vital IT roles have emerged from the big data phenomenon: data scientists and data explorers. These employees are critical for their data mining, information management, and modelling skills.

Although many local businesses are still coming to terms with the concept — to understand what it is all about and how it will benefit them. It is clear that big data is not going away anytime soon, placing greater emphasis on how organizations and personnel manage and extract value from this information. More businesses are realizing that big data is more than just velocity and volume. The IT trend offers firms value when analysed properly.

According to an Computerworld article the skills most often mentioned in connection with big data jobs, include math, statistics, data analysis, business analytics and even natural language processing. It seems that as companies search for talent, they are looking more towards application developers and software engineers than to IT operations.

With the changes in technology, the opportunities for IT professional are also constantly changing. If you are looking for a new IT job opportunity in this ever changing industry contact Communicate Personnel. We are a specialist IT recruitment agency. We have a variety of IT vacancies ranging from positions for Java developers, .Net developers, ASP.Net developers, PHP developers to architects, consultants in CRM and ERP, through to project managers, systems engineers and more.

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Networking your way to a new job

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:29:00 GMT

Networking can be very helpful to your career. Many people only pay real attention to their networks when they are in the midst of job search but career networking should become a part of your daily work and career-related endeavors. Your career network should be in place for when you need it, both for job searching and for moving along the career ladder.

So here are some tips to jumpstart a network that’s out-of-date:

Reach out to your network
All the connections in the world won’t help you find a job if no one knows about your situation. Once you’ve dusted off your list of people in your network, start making contact with people. Let them know that you’re looking for a job. Be specific about what kind of work you’re looking for and ask them if they have any information or know anyone in a relevant field. Keep in touch with your network regularly - even if it's just a brief email to say hello and to ask how they are doing. People are more willing to help when they know who you are.

Give as much as you get
When you think, “how can this person help me,” you’ll be disappointed. However, when you are offering help to others, you’ll find them far more open to the idea of helping you down the road. Forming relationships built on trust will help you be the person your contacts think of the next time they can find a way to help you.

Continuously expand your network
Take advantage of the people your contacts know. Ask people in your network about others who can help you get the information you need. Networking in person works too. If you belong to a professional association, attend a meeting or a mixer. You'll find that many of the participants have the same goals you do and will be glad to exchange business cards.

So, are you in the market for a step up the ladder in your career? We have Finance jobs in accounting, auditing, taxation, and corporate finance jobs. A variety of IT jobs ranging from developers to architects, consultants in CRM and ERP, through to project managers and systems engineers. Engineering jobs in industries like civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, electronic, engineering sales, production and trade. Supply Chain jobs as well as Freight jobs in procurement, production, logistics, freight as well as warehousing and distribution. Contact us today

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