December 2018 – Are you ready to switch off?

The Global Headhunting Firm for Africa

In the age of technology, we constantly find ourselves “switched on”. But, a report by the Harvard Business Review says failing to switch off during a holiday can erode company culture. Read more below.

If you’re an Employer, make sure you take a look at our featured diaspora and local talent below or get in touch directly. If you’re an employee in the market, take a look at our featured career opportunities and make sure we’ve got your CV.

December was an exceptionally busy month. We hosted a bespoke candidate event for Mastercard in London. Be sure to check out the photographs in next month’s newsletter.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Onwards & Upwards

The Homecoming Revolution Team

Taking time to “switch off” and recharge during a holiday is not a luxury but an absolute necessity in order to be effective in your career.

A recent report by the Harvard Business Review says that failing to switch off during a holiday break can actually erode company culture. The report showed that just 14% of managers unplug when they’re on vacation. At the most senior levels of leadership, a mere 7% do. The majority check in with work at least once a day. Failure to support switching off can lead to a less engaged and committed workforce with 4 in 10 employees who work in this kind of environment likely to be looking for a new job in 2019.

We put together 5 steps to actively help you recharge and refresh before the new year.

1. Plan ahead

Ensure you have a plan of action in place to complete outstanding work. Small amounts of work over a longer period of time is much less stressful and will prevent a huge backlog when you return.

2. Make comprehensive Handover Notes

It is important to tie up all loose ends before you go on holiday. Compile comprehensive handover notes and ensure you have delegated key tasks to your colleagues. Provide one of your colleagues with the relevant details should an emergency arise.

3. No Emails!

This can be a very difficult rule for many who are glued to their mobile phones on a daily basis. Switching off means taking a real break. Therefore, removing emails from your phone during your holiday is a valuable tool to help you truly recharge and rest.

4. Engage in a daily practice

Whether it’s a daily walk, yoga or reading a book, take the time to indulge in the things you don’t have time to do when you’re at work.

5. Relax

A study published in the journal Psychological Science suggests that sitting back and doing nothing can boost your skills, productivity and commitment.

Please contact our headhunters if you are interested in recruiting any of the following candidates:

South African EE Female – Senior Marketing Manager – Aviation
Kenyan Male – Commercial Finance Lead Sub-Saharan Africa – IT
South African EE Male – Head of Franchise Africa – Consumer Goods
Ugandan Female – General Manager Corporate Services – Tourism & Hospitality
South African EE Female – Country Manager Africa – FMCG
Rwandan Male – Head of Business Banking – Banking
Zambian Female – Head of Central Processing Unit – Banking
South African Male – Area Lead West Africa – Retail
Kenyan Male – Senior Vice President – Financial Services
South African Male – Global Head of Marketing – Fintech
Nigerian Male – Cyber Security Consultant – Computer & Network Security
South African EE Female – Senior Marketing Manager – Food & Beverage
Nigerian Female – Transformational Analyst – Investment Banking
South African EE Female – Digital Engagement Partner – Banking
Cameroonian Male – Group Technical Advisor – Banking
South African EE Male – Software Developer – Software Engineering
Kenyan Male – Senior Strategy & Investment Management – Investment Management
Nigerian Male – Senior Manager – Management Consulting
Kenyan Male – Chief Financial Officer – Telecommunications
Nigerian Female – Senior Digital Marketing Executive – Marketing & Advertising
South African EE Male – General Manager Operations – Food & Beverage
South African EE Male – Strategy Manager – Banking
Kenyan Male – Executive Director – International Trade & Development
South African EE Male – Executive New Business Development – Transportation & Logistics
South African EE Female – Head of Client On-Boarding – Banking
Nigerian Male – Senior Marketing Manager – Advertising
Kenyan Male – Biomedical Scientist – Pharmaceutical
Rwandan Male – Country Head – Financial Services
South African EE Male – Country Consumer Channel Manager – Computer Software
Nigerian Female – Brand & Commercial Leader – Consumer Goods

CIO – FMCG – Cape Town
Finance Exec – Retail – Durban
Commercial Executive – Agriculture – Harare
Head of Category – Food & Bev Johannesburg
Category Director – Consumer Electronics Johannesburg
General Counsel – Retail – Johannesburg
Commercial Director – Food & Beverage – West Africa
Country Manager – Agriculture – Maputo
Technical Manager – Agriculture – Harare
Country Manager – Fintech – Lagos
Managing Director – Fintech – Cape Town
Chief Operating Officer – Textiles – Johannesburg
Group Company Secretary – Professional Services – Johannesburg
Country Manager – Financial Services – Nairobi
Country Manager – Agriculture – Dar es Salaam
Sales Director – Fintech – Nairobi
CEO – Manufacturing – Johannesburg
Head of Business Development – Fintech – Johannesburg
Group Tax Executive – Professional Services – Johannesburg
CEO – Food & Beverage – Kampala
Managing Partner – Communications Firm – Johannesburg
Head of Digital – Retail – Johannesburg
Managing Director – Manufacturing – Johannesburg
Legal Director – Advisory – Johannesburg

Watch: SA music icons honour legendary Johnny Clegg

Legendary South African singer Johnny Clegg has been honoured by over 50 of South Africa’s most popular artists and international stars.

The musicians recorded a cover of Clegg’s ‘The Crossing’ in a special tribute. The song was uploaded by singer Karen Zoid to YouTube. It features artists like Kurt Darren, Majozi, Mike Rutherford, Dave Matthews, Peter Gabriel, Craig Lucas, Johnny’s son Jesse, David Kramer, Craig Hinds and so many more. Watch the video here.

South Africa: SA is like skydiving when you have no idea who packed your chute

Recent South African homecomer Melissa Leigh speaks about why she came home from the UK.

I have contemplated writing this for some time now. Weekly, sometimes daily, I am asked the question ‘Why did you return to South Africa?’I joined the ‘let’s immigrate’ process a while back.

Oh! The temptation of the UK, the thought of being safely ensconced in a society that functions on a level that most of us dream of, a life where contribution equals return.  Country roads, Sainsburys with gorgeous produce, markets and farm stalls, walks that were so beautiful they can make your head dizzy.  Sick? … pop into the local doc, all sorted.

Sounds like heaven right? Yeah, possibly…Read more.

13 things Kenyans miss most while living abroad

Once you get on that plane and wave goodbye to your mother country, the excitement, curiosity of arriving and exploring your new home always overwhelms many.

But as time goes by, and you start getting used to your surroundings, that’s when you remember how sweet that Ketepa tea made your mornings or may be how Ugali once left you drowsy that hot Monday afternoon. You then find yourself really missing home.

It’s no secret, Kenyans miss a lot of stuff from home when abroad.  This article lists 13 things – some crazy – that Kenyans miss when miles and miles away…Read more.

There’s a chance to create opportunities

Tijani Ogunlende moved to the US from Nigeria when he was 16 years old, but after 13 years in the US, he decided to move back to Nigeria in 2015…Read more.