Today’s Newspaper

Cuttings

6 March 2013

Today’s news online

Gozonews.com Go launches a range of tablet plans for pay monthly users – Go direct

Independent.com.mt Labour childcare measures ‘shock therapy’ to female labour market – Muscat – Vodafone direct

HSBC Malta Foundation endorses President’s Awards for Volutnary Work – HSBC CSR

World wide dance craze, Harlem Shake hits Vodafone Malta – Vodafone direct

BOV supports the Day Care Unit at Hospice Malta – BOV CSR

di-ve.com A unique experience from GO – Go direct Elections 2013 – Vodafone direct

BOV supports Hospice Malta – BOV CSR

Vodafone employees run for charity – Vodafone CSR direct

Josannecassar.com The Harlem Shake hits Vodafone Malta – Vodafone direct

Timesofmalta.com Vodafone gives out free tablets on renewing your pay monthly plan – Vodafone direct

Vodafone sees 90 per cent reduction in paper use in a month at new office – Vodafone direct Ready, steady, go – Go direct

Vodafone in the news

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: DI-VE.COM DATE: 5 MARCH 2013

Last Updated 05 | 03 | 2013 at 10:12

Elections 2013

Joseph Muscat visits Vodafone Article By: di-ve.com news

Labour leader Joseph Muscat visited Vodafone’s new Head Office at SkyParks Business

Centre, where he was greeted by CEO at Vodafone Malta Balesh Sharma. Balesh Sharma

explained how the move to the new Head Office introduced innovative concepts among

employees and this investment helped the company introduce new sustainable measures

which the company has always been aiming for.

“We embarked on a strategy that will reduce the digital divide that exists today, trying to put

in our effort, by making our devices and our technology affordable to all, whilst providing the

latest technology to the public at large,” said Balesh Sharma during the Labour leader’s visit.

“We also believe that Vodafone can help families and businesses reap all the benefits that the

latest technology can offer. Today the mobile phone is a daily companion for most people and

I believe that its potential has yet to be fully maximised so as to make access to services easier

for everyone.” Sharma referred to Vodafone’s family-friendly measures and he emphasised

that such measures are to be looked upon as positive both for the employees and the company

itself. He concluded by saying that Vodafone are optimistic about their future in Malta

because they are confident that the telecommunications industry will continue to flourish for

the benefit of all.

In his speech, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said that Vodafone can be a leading example

on how. “Vodafone is a leading example in the area of companies offering family-friendly

measures. This is a living proof that such family-friendly measures are of benefit not only to

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: DI-VE.COM DATE: 5 MARCH 2013

the employees but also the company itself. Vodafone has a low labour turnover even thanks to

these family-friendly measures which are helping all employees alike.” Dr Muscat also

committed to offering all industries investing in Malta a level playing field as well as a well-

regulated market.

Joseph Muscat toured around Vodafone’s Head Office where he met the company’s

employees and he could see in practice the innovative working methods the company has

adopted. With its move to the new Head Office, Vodafone adopted a number of family

friendly measures such as flexible working hours, 3 extra weeks of maternity leave with full

pay and the right to reduced hours following the birth of a child among others. This positive

working environment brings people closer together, instils trust and encourages the right

atmosphere that promotes collaboration under one common brand.

CLIENT: VODAFONE CSR DIRECT MEDIUM: DI-VE.COM DATE: 6 MARCH 2013

Vodafone employees run for charity Article By: di-ve.com news

editorial@di-ve.com

A group of Vodafone employees joined the 3,000 participants taking part in the Landrover

Malta Marathon on Sunday in a bid to generate funds for various charities.

Six Vodafone employees participated in the marathon while another five ran the half

marathon and one took part the walkathon. Head of HR Martin Gregory explained that many

of the company’s employees run recreationally while others do so as part of their daily life.

He held that health is considered an important part of the company’s culture and praised the

employees participation in this event.

Speaking after her first half marathon, Senior Legal Counsel Rachel Desira, said that the

satisfaction of running for charity made the run worthwile while. She ran for local charity

Faces which is currently working on three international projects. IP and Transport Networks

Engineer Joe Borg ran for Inspire and praised the event’s organisation which resulted in an

enjoyable and worthwile experience. Head of Commercial Operations Michael Coney

commended the numerous athletes that participated in the event.

Demand and Project Management Executive Lisa Vassallo and Demand and Quality

Assurance Manager Edward Camilleri, both ran the half marathon and promised to return for

next year's event. SME Sales Executive Sylvana Calleja concluded that it was of great

satisfaction to do the walkathon for a good cause.

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DATE: 25 FEBRUARY 2013

Labour childcare measures ‘shock therapy’ to female labour market – Muscat

Monday, 25 February 2013, 13:42

“Our childcare proposals will provide short-term shock therapy to the female labour market, but there is also need for a longer term approach,” opposition leader Joseph Muscat said during a visit to the SkyParks business centre.

Dr Muscat was speaking during a tour of Vodafone’s recently inaugurated offices at SkyParks.

Vodafone Malta’s CEO Balesh Sharma explained how the company offers mothers 17 weeks of maternity leave, which is three weeks over and above the legal requirement.

The opposition leader said that many state entities are not proactive enough in offering incentives and following the best practices of the private sector.

Dr Muscat committed to offering all industries investing in Malta a level playing field as well as a well regulated market. He said that the PL will implement a system of open government, whereby all targets set will be open to scrutiny.

Dr Muscat spoke of moving beyond the current system of e-government and expanding into the territory of m-government, thus putting in place an “infrastructure to give citizens the tools for online dialogue.”

In an earlier meeting at Le Meridien, St Julian’s, Dr Muscat said that a Labour government will allow tertiary level students a broader choice of option in pursuing their studies.

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DATE: 25 FEBRUARY 2013

This will be done through a partnership with Universities for International Students Studying Abroad (INTO), an organisation representing leading Universities from the UK, the US and China.

Dr. Muscat expressed his desire to establish Malta as a hub, attracting investment from foreign universities and centres of excellence.

“This project will be implemented in conjunction with the University of Malta, MCAST and ITS, as well as any other institutions expressing an interest. INTO is interested in developing campuses in Malta and Gozo. The courses on offer will range from finance, management, medicine and economics,” Dr Muscat said.

The opposition leader estimated that 3,000 students will be attracted to study in Malta through this project. He also said that the University of Malta’s funding will be increased.

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DATE: 1 MARCH 2013

World wide dance craze, the Harlem Shake, hits Vodafone Malta

Friday, 01 March 2013, 17:37

Search Youtube for the Harlem Shake and more than 200,000 results pop up – a group of sky divers do the wild dance while falling through the clouds, Norwegian Army officers stand in comouflage and dance to the electronic groove and the the team members at Vodafone Malta including their top Management Team can be seen, hitting it off to the music at their new Head Office in SkyParks Business Centre.

After a request on Vodafone’s Facebook Page, the top management at Vodafone Malta had to do the iconic Harlem Shake when the 2,000 likes benchmark set by the team was reached.

Vodafone’s Harlem Shake started with Vodafone Malta’s CEO, Balesh Sharma who was a complete sports and started dancing to the song surrounded by his Malta team members unaware of him dancing and moving to the music. After just 15 seconds the employees joined in and danced to the crazy music, wearing crazy outfits and costumes and shielding strange props.

In less than an hour the video had 300 hits, 80 shares on facebook and 260 likes.

The Harlem Shake, an internet concept in the form of a video of various groups of people performing a comedy sketch accompanied by a short part of the song Harlem Shake, has been replicated by thousands of people and companies becoming a viral phenomenon across Youtube worldwide.

Vodafone Malta thanked their audience for helping them reach their target on their Facebook Page. The public is being encouraged to keep watching their facebook page on

www.facebook.com/vodafonemalta for more fun.

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: JOSANNECASSAR.COM DATE: 2 MARCH 2013

The Harlem Shake hits Vodafone Malta

Search Youtube for the Harlem Shake and more than 200,000 results pop up – a group of sky

divers do the wild dance while falling through the clouds, Norwegian Army officers stand in

comouflage and dance to the electronic groove and the the team members at Vodafone Malta

including their top Management Team can be seen, hitting it off to the music at their new

Head Office in SkyParks Business Centre.

After a request on Vodafone’s Facebook Page, the top management at Vodafone Malta had to

do the iconic Harlem Shake when the 2,000 likes benchmark set by the team was reached.

Vodafone’s Harlem Shake started with Vodafone Malta’s CEO, Balesh Sharma who was a

complete sport and started dancing to the song surrounded by his Malta team members

unaware of him dancing and moving to the music. After just 15 seconds the employees joined

in and danced to the crazy music, wearing crazy outfits and costumes and shielding strange

props.

In less than an hour the video had 300 hits, 80 shares on facebook and 260 likes.

The Harlem Shake, an internet concept in the form of a video of various groups of people

performing a comedy sketch accompanied by a short part of the song Harlem Shake, has been

replicated by thousands of people and companies becoming a viral phenomenon across

Youtube worldwide.

Vodafone Malta thanked their audience for helping them reach their target on their Facebook

Page. The public is being encouraged to keep watching their facebook page on

www.facebook.com/vodafonemalta for more fun.

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: TIMESOFMALTA.COM DATE: 3 MARCH 2013

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Vodafone gives out free tablets on renewing your pay

monthly plan

In its continuous effort to make the latest tablets on the market more accessible to consumers, Vodafone is offering a free tablet to any customers who renew their pay monthly plan.

Customers renewing their contract on the new Smartphone 35 Plan will benefit from a free Vodafone Smart Tab II 7”, while those subscribing to the new Smartphone 55 Plan will get a free Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7”.

“Following the success of the same offer during the Christmas period, we have decided to relaunch this deal, trying our best to offer customers more alternatives when renewing their pay monthly plan,” said Sandro Pisani, head of marketing at Vodafone Malta.

“Our offer helps customers have the latest technology in hand and experience mobile data internet on Vodafone’s reliable network.”

Moreover, Vodafone customers will also be able to connect their tablet to the internet for €10 per month. The Liberty Plus tariff plan provides 5GB data with a download speed of 21Mbps and an upload speed of 5Mbps. It also offers customers 12GB data with the same download and upload speeds for €15 a month.

Vodafone’s Liberty Data Plans are available on a 24-month subscription. Tablets come with a free pre-packed Vodafone internet SIM, depending on which Liberty Data Plan is chosen. This offer is available until stocks last.

For more information on how to get your free tablet, visit a Vodafone store, call 247 for free from a Vodafone line, 9999 9247 from any other line, send an e-mail to 247.mt@vodafone.com or log onto www.vodafone.com.mt.

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: TIMESOFMALTA.COM DATE: 3 MARCH 2013

Sunday, March 3, 2013 by

Joanna Ripard

Vodafone sees 90 per cent reduction in paper use in a

month at new office

Vodafone Malta has experienced a 90 per cent drop in paper use since moving to its new head office at Skyparks Business Centre in Gudja just over a month ago, according to property manager Antoinette Camilleri.

People now walk to talk to each other rather than call or e-mail

The remarkable statistic is one of the first to emerge since the mobile operator implemented radical work practice changes at its new, paperless headquarters, and suggests the company is beginning to meet its ambitious green objectives.

As it moved out of its previous premises at Msida’s Valley Road, only essential team and individual documents were set aside for archiving with a third party, and the company dispatched around 13 tonnes of paper to be recycled.

At Skyparks, meanwhile, where all waste paper is recycled, employees are encouraged to consider their printing decisions carefully.

There are four mini business centres across the one-and-a-half floors Vodafone occupies at Skyparks, which house printers and stationery.

Employees who choose to print documents walk from their desk to the printer where they can select which documents they really need to print.

Vodafone’s pioneering work practices at Skyparks have scored a groupwide achievement – the Malta office is among the top headquarters to implement ‘hot desking’ across all its teams. Only chief executive Balesh Sharma has his own – minimalist – office. Everyone else is able to choose a new work station everyday.

Employees have been assigned a small cabinet drawer to store their ‘hot box’ (a lockable and portable filing cabinet for important documents), a laptop and keyboard, a headset, some personal items, and a red non-spill mug.

CLIENT: VODAFONE DIRECT MEDIUM: TIMESOFMALTA.COM DATE: 3 MARCH 2013

Teams have also been granted a small cabinet each, which double as dividers on the open plan floors. After choosing their work station, employees set up and plug in.

“Hot desking means people take a few minutes longer to settle in in the mornings but we have already seen the benefits. Employees now work in close proximity to different people all the time and we have seen team dynamics improve considerably. We have also found that people now walk to talk to each other rather than call or e-mail,” Ms Camilleri told The Sunday Times.

“There are 236 work stations across the fifth and sixth floors. We actually have 280 employees at head office, but we examined our desk usage over three years and found that 83 per cent are in the office at any one time.

“Other people are either away or on sick leave. This statistic has proven to be consistent and so far we have not experienced any shortages. We have succeeded in working towards the projected efficiency levels.”

Bathed in natural light and enjoying stunning panoramic views, the offices are spacious and colourful, and noise levels are surprisingly low, even at the 24-hour call centre.

Ms Camilleri explained that the use of headsets and the elimination of ringing phones contributed significantly to noise reduction, and it appears the new environment has encouraged people to be more respectful of colleagues’ work spaces and to be more productive.

There are three ‘break out’ areas on each floor with different themes – one has cinema seats against a black backdrop, another features wooden deck chairs against a beach-themed mural – all with informal seating and settings.

There is also a silent bay, complete with a library-themed mural, for employees seeking some privacy. Employees are also able to plug in at various areas of the floors where they can meet separately from other teams and use their devices, besides the high-tech boardroom. The entire office and its wide terraces enjoy Wi-Fi connectivity throughout.

There is an ample, colourful coffee point on one floor with a mug-lined wall, a fully equipped kitchen on another for the preparation of hot meals, adjacent to which is a cafeteria which doubles as a presentation room.

Designed by Demicoli and Associates, the offices’ decor is enriched with graphics and the use of different textures and colours.

Coupled with Vodafone’s dress-down policy and an average staff age of 29, the office is a reflection of the business – dynamic, connected, efficient and fun.

Ms Camilleri and human resources head Martin Gregory admit the challenge to implement such radical change was possible only after 18 months of preparation.

Back at Msida, all employees were involved in the ambitious change management programme. There were numerous information sessions and teams were asked for their feedback and even contributed to the design of the new office. They were asked to name the meeting rooms and were allowed to bring in personal and company trophies and awards for display in designated areas in a bid to foster a true sense of ownership.

“People were prepared for the move and we worked hard to address fears and doubts,” Mr Gregory explained.

“We moved our first team in December and then two groups of 90 in one day in January. Many people thought it would be far more challenging to go paperless but they are enjoying the new way to work at Vodafone.

“Our company culture is based on trust and value and managers have to be able to align objectives and culture.

“We will measure employee engagement at some point. I am confident the scores will be higher.”

Other stories in the news

CLIENT: GO DIRECT MEDIUM: DI-VE.COM DATE: 27 FEBRUARY 2013

A unique experience from GO Article By: di-ve.com news

editorial@di-ve.com

GO mobile customers can now enjoy easy access to super-fast internet anytime anywhere

thanks to a range of top-notch mobile internet services, allowing them to stay in touch, keep

up with the latest news, find information at a click thus enhancing study and work efficiency,

have entertainment at their fingertips, share happy moments instantly, further grow their

social network, enjoy multi-media resources on the move and download applications to add

more functions to their handset.

The mobile internet experience offered by GO is powerful and resilient with download speeds

reaching 42Mbps. GO is the only local provider whose base stations are linked to the network

core and the internet via fibre. By way of the massive investment made in its mobile network

and supported by the core mobile equipment upgrade, GO now boasts a top-quality, reliable

network with the speeds needed not only for present but also future demand for mobile

internet, especially via smartphones and tablets

To allow customers to get the most out of the upgraded mobile network, GO has launched an

enticing range of tablet plans for Pay Monthly customers. This is giving GO’s customers the

opportunity to own an iPad or another tablet through an affordable payment plan without the

costly upfront device charge. GO mobile customers can now take their pick from an exciting

range of tablets with varying prices – suited to everyone’s taste and requirements.

The iPad Mini 16GB WiFi & 3G selling at €499 is being offered at €34.99. The Huawei

Media Pad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab II are on offer at the same price while the iPad 4

16GB WiFi and 3G with Retina display is available at €44.99. Plans on all four tablets include

5GB On The Move mobile internet monthly and are available on a 2 year agreement.

For further information on mobile internet offers from GO one can visit: www.go.com.mt.

CLIENT: GO DIRECT MEDIUM: GOZONEWS.COM DATE: 27 FEBRUARY 2013

GO launches a range of tablet plans for pay monthly users

Posted By Gozo News On February 27, 2013 @ 11:26 am In Malta News | No Comments

GO has said that its mobile customers now enjoy easy access to super-fast internet anytime and anywhere thanks to a range of top-notch mobile internet services.

The company said that it “leads the market in local mobile internet services with download speeds

reaching 42Mbps and takes pride in being the only provider in Malta whose base stations are linked to the network core and the internet via fibre.”

To allow customers to get the most out of the upgraded mobile network, GO said it has now launched a range of tablet plans for Pay Monthly customers. “This is giving GO’s customers the

opportunity to own an iPad or another tablet through an affordable payment plan without the costly upfront device charge. GO mobile customers can now take their pick from an exciting range of tablets with varying prices.”

“The iPad Mini 16GB WiFi & 3G selling at €499 is being offered at €34.99 monthly (service charge of €25 and data access fee of €9.99). The Huawei Media Pad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab II are on offer at the same price while the iPad 4 16GB WiFi and 3G with Retina display (retailing at €649.00) is available at €44.99 (service charge of €35 and data access fee of €9.99).

“Plans on all four tablets include 5GB On The Move mobile internet monthly and are available on a 2 year agreement, GO said.

For further information on mobile internet offers from GO, subscribers are welcome to call Customer Care on 146 (free of charge) from their GO mobile connection or 79222146 from any other network. Or, go directly to the website: www.go.com.mt [1].

Terms and conditions apply.

CLIENT: GO DIRECT MEDIUM: TIMESOFMALTA.COM DATE: 3 MARCH 2013

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Ready, steady, go

Go employees being offered medical tests at the open day.

Ready Steady Go is a new employee well-being programme featuring a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing and supporting healthy behaviour and healthy choices, launched recently by Go. An open day was held to mark the event.

Go’s chief HR officer Michelle Bonnici said: “Ready Steady Go is not a one-size-fits-all campaign; our employees work in various sectors which span technical outdoor manual work to executive positions that require long hours behind a desk. These factors affect our staff’s health in numerous ways, therefore a holistic and wide-ranging health campaign had to be created.”

The campaign will span a number of months. A series of information sessions, self-awareness campaigns and specific training in more comprehensive areas are planned.

This year’s programme will focus on nutrition, smoking cessation, stress management, cancer awareness and mental health and well-being.

CLIENT: BOV CSR MEDIUM: DI-VE.COM DATE: 5 MARCH 2013

BOV supports Hospice Malta Article By:di-ve.com news

Bank of Valletta is sponsoring a full year’s worth of activities at the Hospice Malta day care

centre, a place of refuge for cancer, motor neurone disease, end of life cardiac, respiratory and

renal patients, where they can interact with each other in an informal environment.

Patients, besides benefiting from physiotherapy, complementary therapy and occupational

therapy, spend their morning sharing jokes and other various experiences as well as getting

advice from various experts, ranging from medical to spiritual.

“The atmosphere at the centre is quite a surprise for those who have not experienced it.

Patients often feel that they cannot laugh and cry openly because they do not want to upset

those around them. When they come here, they feel the strength and support that comes from

being with others who are going through the same traumatic experience,” the BOV Head of

Media and Community Relations Vanessa Macdonald explained.

Hospice provides transport to and from the centre to make sure that relatives have time for

themselves: In fact last year over 2,700 trips were organised for patients by Hospice.

A number of patients avail themselves of the hairdressing service, beauty salon and special

bath on a regular basis.

Commenting during the presentation, Hospice Malta General Manager Antoinette Shah said

that donations give them hope and encourage them to continue in their mission to assist those

needing a helping hand. The Malta Hospice Movement continuously strives to raise

awareness of the needs of the organisation, as it could not operate without the help of the

public. “This donation by BOV will give us a good boost to help us in our constant efforts to

improve the lives of our patients and their families.”

CLIENT: BOV CSR MEDIUM: INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DATE: 5 MARCH 2013

BOV supports the Day Care Unit at Hospice Malta

Tuesday, 05 March 2013, 18:22

Bank of Valletta is sponsoring a full year’s worth of activities at the Hospice Malta day care centre, a place of refuge for cancer, motor neurone disease, end of life cardiac, respiratory and renal patients where they can interact with each other in an informal environment.

Patients, besides benefiting from physiotherapy, complementary therapy and occupational therapy spend their morning sharing jokes and other various experiences, as well as getting advice from various experts, ranging from medical to spiritual.

“The atmosphere at the centre is quite a surprise for those who have not experienced it. Patients often feel that they cannot laugh and cry openly because they do not want to upset those around them. When they come here, they feel the strength and support that comes from being with others who are going through the same traumatic experience,” the BOV Head of Media and Community Relations Vanessa Macdonald explained.

Hospice provides transport to and from the centre to make sure that relatives have time for

themselves: In fact last year over 2,700 trips were organised for patients by Hospice.

A number of patients avail themselves of the hairdressing service, beauty salon and special bath on a regular basis.

CLIENT: BOV CSR MEDIUM: INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DATE: 5 MARCH 2013

Commenting during the presentation, Hospice Malta General Manager Antoinette Shah said: “Donations give us hope and encourage us to continue in our mission to assist those needing a helping hand. The Malta Hospice Movement continuously strives to raise awareness of the needs of the organisation, as it could not operate without the help of the public. This donation by BOV will give us a good boost to help us in our constant efforts to improve the lives of our patients and their families.”

CLIENT: HSBC CSR MEDIUM: INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DATE: 26 FEBRUARY 2013

HSBC Malta Foundation endorses President’s Awards for Voluntary Work

Tuesday, 26 February 2013, 16:15

Pauline Bartolo received the President’s Gold Award for Voluntary Work 2012 for her dedicated work with missionaries in Egypt, Peru, and Kenya. The prestigious award also includes a generous package of €6,000 donated by HSBC Malta Foundation, which Pauline will be using to develop a children’s day care centre in Kenya.

Fr Mark Cantar of Dar Frate Jacoba Youth Alive Foundation received the Silver Award for Voluntary work 2013, while the Bronze Award went to Carmen Camilleri for her longstanding commitment to the Malta Girl Guides.

HSBC Malta Chief Executive Officer Mark Watkinson said: “Voluntary work is part of the fabric of Malta's society. It is a building block of the country and defines the nation and the character of its people.”

Mr Watkinson said HSBC Malta has been a pioneer of the Corporate Social Responsibility Day, that has been taking place for the past 12 years, and last year involved 400 employees from 7 different companies working in different residential homes or caring institutions.

For the last 3 years HSBC Malta has also been running a Voluntary Leave Day, where the Bank pays a day’s salary to those employees who want to carry out voluntary work for a day.