Australian Recruiters Risk Averse, Lose out on tapping humanities talents such as Gail Kelly

Peter Cai has courageously opened up a controversial topic which many in Australia have not dared to confront and address.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/business-can-benefit-from-students-of-humanities-20130127-2deuy.html

Indeed, compared to UK and US where everyone could almost certainly become anybody they wish, this luxury does not exist in Australia, the lucky country.

There is a strange contradiction in the Australian job market. Most potential job seekers find employment scarce while recruiters are facing difficulty filling positions that require specialised skills.

For the same MNCs and global consultancy firms, the Australian branches are not as generous and receptive to building a diversity of talents. I know some executives who started in non-business and non-core business areas of reputable international companies that are not based in Australia. Managers were very supportive and gave their staff many opportunities and time to upgrade their skills and move on to more challenging roles.

My Australian contacts in recruitment and HR have confirmed that there is a tendency to find an exact match even if this meant leaving positions vacant for months or years, if no such ideal candidate is to be found. The environment has become more rigid than say 20 years ago. That Gail Kelly made it to the top of Westpac despite her education in language and history, showed that employers were probably more open-minded than now.

The cautious approach mirrors the overall mentality of corporate Australia regardless of which department they represent. As long as you stick closely to rules it is quite safe, all is well and safe, and this would help to cover one's back if things do not go according to expectations or go wrong.

There are advantages in selecting human resources that are trained in a specific area and have the relevant experience. However, many other talents have been disregarded in the process.

Of course, successful business executives who had arts background must be competent in business management. They have to work hard to learn relevant skills and industry expertise quickly and do better than their peers with a business degree.  It may also help if one has a good network and get noticed early in life, such as being awarded prizes and scholarships and well connected with the rich and famous.

If certain employers in Australia rely on old boys' network and retired sportsmen to fill their top positions, and willing to overlook their lack of skills and experience in business management, why can't they offer the same treatment to high flying humanities graduates?

Because of market demand, herd instincts and parental influence tend to favour studies in business, finance, technology and law. This has perpetuated a vicious cycle of channelling academically excellent to do professional degrees. On the other hand, the humanities are the reserve of either those who can't make the grade, or clever students who are too innocent or not too worried about the rat race.

Many a times, some humanities undergraduates feel offended and lose hope when peers and seniors ask what they could do with their training? It is not so much an education we are after now, but vocational skills. It is surprising that some are unaware that universities offer post-graduate professional courses.

The least we could do is not to accept the status quo and liberate our minds.

Korean Cuisine in Summer : Hot and Cold

Having gained the experience and confidence of managing a restaurant, my favourite Korean haunt has released themselves from a franchise and decided to stirke out their own brand name.

Korean cold beef noodle soup - great to cool down in the summer heat or defuse after a BBQ dinner.

Some of the beef stock are still in solid ice form when served. 

                            Westernised Korean noodle dish with cheese and mayonnaise.
Still retains the Korean component - small servings of soup and vegetable pickles ...

Not suitable for summer but it's nutritious and yummy. Seems that Koreans don't really care about restricting salads to summer and soups for winter only.  Galbitang - rich short beef ribs stew with red dates, melon, leek and potato noodles. 

Greek Enigma - Great food at good value

Both Enigma in Brighton le Sands and Castle Tower Piazza have received rave reviews.  My several visits have confirmed that they indeed have something special to offer.

2 course lunch plus a drink for $30 is absolutely fantastic and a rare find.

Nicely presented and carefully cooked entree

                                                 Calamari - tender, juicy and crispy

                                                                Pan-fried chorizo with vegetable stack

2 dips (cucumber yoghurt & roe) with pita bread.

 A glass of wine or cool beer

Options for Mains : 

                                   Grilled Barramundi with crispy potato and vegetables - freshness!

                                Spaghetti marinara - gernerous serving of seafood and the sauce has the right balance

                                                           Slow cooked lamb is tender and yummy

        

Just between us, if you happen to be dining at the Piazza, just to let you know that this Greek restaurant is a much preferable place than the over priced and mediocre Italian restaurant two doors away.  

How does it compare with another Greek Restaurant in Sydney CBD --  Xanthi? http://ausletters.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/xanthi-bar-restaurant-greek-cuisine.html  


In short, Enigma's style is freshness and simplicity. However, it's not a fair comparison because there are more options for dinner and the pricing was different.

Eating Light Dinners - Tapas Bars thriving in Aussie Cities

There are three main reasons for the proliferation of bars and small corner eateries serving light meals. They are especially popular with professionals, yuppies and students in the city.

First off, post GFC, the economy  is taking a long time to get back on track is one reason. Diners don't splurge on expensive dinners especially on weekdays when they socialise or entertain. With unemployment figures creeping up, every dollar saved for rainy days count.

Secondly, many friends and co-workers I know are trying to eat less, eat healthy and look better. There you have it.

Thirdly, young people nowadays prefer a less formal setting to talk and catch up.

These are likely reasons why tapas are getting very popular.

At a RSL club, I had 3 tapas dishes, bread and drinks; felt adequately full and satisfied.

Single Mums Suffer from Welfare Tightening

Theoretically, it is a fine idea to spend within the budget by cutting wastage. 

One fell swoop, all single mums (bona fide and genuine or not) have suffered severely.  All are forced to give up on the slightly more generous single mother scheme to Newstart. 

Presumably to weed out the bulk of fraud and cheats who have allegedly milked the welfare system, though unstated, this is a blunt instrument. It is uncertain if it would be effective at all to force more Australians to be more productive economically. 

However, the timing could not have been worst as unemployment figures have shot up last month. 

Many can't make ends meet and may have to resort to drastic measures, ironically, cheating and prostitution if necessary! or so they say, as some have pleaded with the media. 

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/govt-defends-welfare-cuts-to-single-mums/story-fn3dxiwe-1226558474956

Most of us have heard stories of faked separation and divorces,  or incentive for women to leave the husband due to the ease of getting  parenting payments. 

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/motherblaming-is-an-outdated-simplistic-view-20130120-2d14g.html

While it may be true that some cheats exist among single mothers, not everyone is out to fleece the government.  Even if there is motivation to remove the culture of dependency and single parent families, changes take time and support from institutions and society.  

To add insult to injury, administrative errors have caused more anxiety and pain for single mothers who were told to destroy their concession cards. 

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/single-parent-pension-warning-an-error-20130113-2cnon.html

This link has been removed from various Australian newspapers. I wonder why?  The likelihood that this is exaggerated and difficult to prove is high on the scale!

Single mums figure big in $80m South Australian welfare fraud 

For the majority of single mothers living in hardship, little help is forthcoming. They must find employment to complement the reduced allowance and cut down on whatever little they have to live with. 

The dire straits faced by single mothers do not matter much to politicians. They do not constitute a large enough voter base for politicians to worry about.   

Think outside Cabramatta - modern upmarket Vietnamese food in the suburbs

Vietnamese cuisine which was the flavour of the 1980s-1990s has made a comeback.

This time, the management are not chefs who came in boats as refugees, but second generation well-educated youngsters who speak English better than their parents' lingo.

Besides Nguyen's Red Lantern, several small cosy eateries serving traditional Vietnamese fare with a modern twist in well decorated and modern premises is attracting a loyal following in several areas.

http://ausletters.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/red-lantern-vietnamese-modern-australian.html

Suburban folks who want a healthy, quick, hygienic meal can be assured of consistent delivery of good food, high quality ingredients and warm friendly service. While Cabramatta still win in terms of variety, options and price, the distance and perennial crowds thanks to the publicity may discourage some from taking that extra travelling time.

http://ausletters.blogspot.com.au/2009/09/moon-festival-in-sydney-southwest.html

Years ago, this business model might not have worked out, but discerning consumers now appreciate value and presentation.

In the northern districts, a handful of upmarket ethnic restaurants have emerged. The busyness speak volumes - let the customers tell the story. This one is at the Cherrybrook shopping village.

Pork Chop Rice (Top) : marinated but not overdone with lemongrass, evenly fried, not oily or fatty at all

The every popular spring roll with lettuce and mint leaves for the wrap

Spicy thick round rice noodles originated from but each Viet family has created their own interpretation of the spice and herb proportions. Chilli oil makes it a little spicy.

The pho is pretty good. The intensity of the soup depends on the length of time the beef bones have been stewed and the amount of dried spices used. Some like it mild and light.

The strong aroma of Vietnamese coffee is irresistible. On a hot summer day, pour over ice. It's heavenly!