Spring is in the air at Blake

A buzzing Blake Current Department pitched in to create an awesome Spring breakfast!

Call Centre Staff dressed in colourful spring wear and brought along their breakfast goodies to bid winter a fantastic farewell and graciously welcome the season of life!

Each department was filled with colour, an inviting aroma of food and fragrant fresh flowers.

Management motivated staff by arranging magnificent goody baskets to be given away to the top three winning teams, who went all-out to impress.

Our resident Judge, Head of Collections, Odette Pearce, admitted that it was tough competition and was most impressed at the effort that was put in by Management and staff in making the event a success.

Spring Day at Blake

1st Prize - Seema Singh and the Strauss Daly management team

Spring Day at Blake

2nd Prize - Natalie Gobindram, Derousha Kamraj, Loral Naidoo

Judging of the winning teams was on Imagination/Originality (1st), Attention to detail (2nd) and Presentation (3rd).

The Strauss Daly Team was innovative in setting up an arrangement of fruit which included the shape of a face. Staff came with original ideas in their set up which won them 1st prize.

Spring Day at Blake

3rd Prize - Vanishree Maniraj

Spring Day at Blake

Runners Up - Duran Gengan, Jesse Naidoo and Ashvir Maharaj

The Finance and Health Teams, 2nd prize winners, were awarded for their attention to detail. Each item in their unique spread was detailed with a touch of class, which effortlessly and elegantly stood out amongst the rest.

The Banking and Insurance Teams, 3rd prize winners, were awarded on their presentation. A citrusy, spring fresh effect was created with fancy decorated glasses, a beautiful butterfly cake and rich farmhouse style breakfast spread.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Lynette Frank and the team for the spectacular giveaway baskets as well as all staff that contributed but did not make the top three.

Well done on a fantastic Spring Day!

Take a look at the Spring Day photo album on Blake’s Facebook page.

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How to use a credit card responsibly

Before you start playing around with credit cards, it is a good idea to learn all the rules. Whether you’re an experienced credit card user or a beginner, there are always things we can learn to form healthy spending habits.

Let’s take a look at the Do’s and Don’ts of spending on a credit card.

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What you can do today to improve your credit score

Having a mark against your name for bad credit can be a stressful and costly situation. But as hopeless and terrible that sounds, bad credit won’t last forever, and it is important to get your personal finances in order.

Here are 10 things you can do right now to begin to improve your credit score: Continue reading

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Stress relief for Secretary’s Day at Blake

Happy Secretary’s Day to our hardworking, valued employees who perform this vital function!

Did you know…. here are some interesting facts:

  • The growing popularity of corporate wellness programs in South Africa is set to dramatically cut the country’s annual R12 billion absenteeism bill and improve productivity.
  • South African companies underestimate the total costs of absenteeism and are often at a loss on how to deal with the problem.
  • 95% of the Fortune 500 companies in the US have employee wellness programs and there is a very strong correlation between employee wellness and improvements on workplace morale, loyalty, performance and associated reductions in organizational operating costs and profits.
  • Studies have shown that workers are more likely to be on the job and performing well when they are in optimal physical and psychological health. Employees are also more like to be attracted to, remain with, and value an employer that appreciates them.
  • Corporate wellness programs are an investment in your company’s most valuable asset, your workers.

Blake’s corporate wellness program employs the services of Return to Glory, Mobile Massage and Beauty Specialists. They provide a professional service at home, office or events, and specialize in corporate wellness days, pamper parties and sporting events.

For more info go to www.returntoglorysa.co.za, email Lisa Maytham or call her on +27 73 5752624.

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Women – a force to be reckoned with… and rewarded

A 2008 international survey showed that 70% of South African women claimed to be financially independent; 62% said they contributed half or more of the household income, with 49% contributing more than their partner; 54% stated that they control the family’s money, with a further 29% sharing control with their partner. Continue reading

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You want that job? Dress for success!

It is said that an interviewer makes a judgment about the applicant in the first five minutes of the interview, and spends the rest of the time justifying the judgement.

Blake RecruitmentIt is vital that you prepare for interviews, and preparing your presentation is no exception.

Following are a few tips from Blake Recruitment Manager, Kashani Reddy, on how to present yourself for interviews in order to make the best impression: Continue reading

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Training Reduces Staff Turnover

In a survey by FurstPerson that measures call centre staff turnover and attrition, results show that the average turnover in a contact centre is between 40% and 50%, a costly problem that is generally tolerated rather than solved. Continue reading

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Engaging Customers and Listening

Our body language speaks volumes about our interest or disinterest in interactions with other people. A call centre agent does not have the luxury of being able to read a person’s body language during a call, so how can he or she make sure that the person on the other end of the phone call is actually listening and paying attention to what is being said?Call Centre customer

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Do you need special qualities to be a successful Call Centre Agent?

People skills play an important role, even though the telemarketing sector is big on technology. This is due to the fact that call centre agents share equal credit in telemarketing success. So do BPO agents need special qualities? Continue reading

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Goodbye Truisha

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Truisha Ramsunder, Collections Manager, who is leaving Blake after 14 years of loyal service. Read more…

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