simply-blogging

I've seen the lite & I think I like it

As we prepare to unveil our new redesign this month, another site has also received a face lift of sorts: say hello to Facebook Lite - a sleeker, cleaner version of the popular social networking site.

Launched in the U.S. this week, Facebook Lite has now reportedly become accessible to European users as well - which could explain all the page load errors I'm receiving.

Judging by the buzz around the trimmed down site, looks like it's catching on fast. A few of my Facebook friends have already given it the thumbs up, and from what I've seen, it definitely appears much less cluttered than its parent site. There are far less ads and the information/categories are more condensed, resulting in a lay-out that's easier on the eyes.

If you're not a champion of instant messaging (much like myself), then you'll definitely like Facebook Lite since it does not offer the chatting option. Is that the sound of productivity I'm hearing?

One critical aspect to keep in mind is that there doesn't appear to be a way to navigate between the original Facebook and Facebook Lite; it's either one or the other. In my case, I think I'll keep things "lite".

-Kelly

The bare facts

Now here's an interesting twist to employee team-building exercises:

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/07/02/Office-workers-asked-to-go-naked/UPI-23171246576418/

I can't imagine doing that in the States which just shows how much more open and ahead of the times our English cousins really are...

-Kelly

I've figured "IT" out!

Here I am sitting in my New York flat jealous at the fab weather my London colleagues have been having, while it rains cats and dogs in the Big, or shall I say, Soaked Apple.

On the positive side, it's the perfect day to stay in and work on the May edition of simply-communicate and catch up on a bit of blogging.

First off, kudos to Ruth for that amazing run she just completed - well done, luv! xxx

And, Marc - I can't wait to get my hands on the new Gower Handbook (and it's not because I have a chapter in the book, ahem...) - congrats on all the hard work you've put in, getting the book ready for publishing. Save a glass of champagne for me on June 25th!

Okay, back to blogging...so what's on my mind these days? Having videotaped numerous conferences where IC professionals whinge about their IT departments, I think I've finally figured out why some IT staff are so surly: they have to work in an office without any windows!!

Looking back at all the companies I've worked for (including my most recent freelance video production gig), every IT Department has either been located in a basement or a dark, window-less room at the end of a hallway. Now if you had to work 8-10 hours without receiving any natural light, wouldn't that make you a bit grumpy?

For a good chuckle and a taste of IT basement life, check out The IT Crowd. Since it's produced in the UK, I'm sure many of you have already; (it's only recently come to the States).

So if you want to stay on the good side of your company's IT Department, I suggest just smiling and being nice to them. Or buying them an ultraviolet lamp.

-Kelly

Out of work but full of ideas

Have you recently been made redundant or know someone who has? Perhaps take a cue from this woman in Connecticut - check out the excerpt from today's New York Post 's "Weird But True" section:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

An unemployed Connecticut woman is giving new meaning to a "job wanted" ad.

Pasha Stocking, of East Hampton, has rented a billboard along Interstate 95 in Bridgeport, telling motorists. "Hire Me!" It directs people to her Web site, www.hirepasha.com.

The 37-year-old single mom was laid off in June and wants a job in marketing or design.

The billboard company says similar ads cost about $7,000 a month.

________________________________________________________________________________________

That's one way to get some attention. Even more unusual was what I witnessed on a recent subway commute into Manhattan - a young, twenty-something passing his resume around to fellow train passengers. He actually had a few takers; perhaps his efforts will indeed open some doors for him (and not just subway doors).

-Kelly

How swede it is

Here's a clever way to cut back on paper and ease the electronic overload:

http://www.tarelugnt.se/

Perhaps we at simply should think about publishing our next edition that way?

What do you think, team?

-Kelly

It's time to stand up for what is right

You can push people around, but there comes a point when you go too far.  And frankly, I've reached that point - I'm saying enough is enough.

Mr Moseley who lives at no 18 in my street is a man who doesn't respect what is right and he needs to be told that he's crossed the line.

For years I've turned a blind eye to the fact that his building firm employs people from Watford.  OK it's few miles away but when the building trade is booming you understand that he needs to get workers wherever he can.

Actually I've met some of the lads who work for him and I want make it clear that I'm not remotely prejudiced.  In fact a couple of them have diplomas from the local technical college - it shows they are hard-working.

But now Mr Moseley is having his loft converted.  And none of the people working on the project come from our street.  

He's given a job to that lad from around the corner - who only ever used to come down our street to play football with that nice lad from no 13.   I dare say he can do the job but in these tough times Mr Moseley should be looking to his neighbours first.

Take Mrs Doyle at No 22.  She's not worked for years.  She might be claiming a pension but I've seen her shake a leg at the Coach & Horses so I know she's pretty fit and could be a real asset on a building site.  Or young Terry who delivers the papers - I know he's on the look out for some extra cash and because he's only 14 you wouldn't have to tell the so called Health and Safety about him.

You don't like to make a fuss, but the time has come to stand up and be counted.  Benito who lives next door agrees with me and we're going round to Augusto's house this evening to make up posters and placards.  

We say Norfolk Road jobs for Norfolk Road people!

Liam

Staying connected in unsettling times

Went to an interesting networking event last night in New York geared toward freelance media and communications professionals.

Of course, there was the usual amount of wine and beer flowing and people grasping for the one or two appetizers that came by...but what really struck me was just how crowded it was. I guess I shouldn't be surprised really - these are unsettling economic times and judging by the number of attendees last night (easily 100+), people really are struggling and hungry for work.

While most networking events tend to thin out after two hours, this one was still going strong, showing the value of community-building and establishing new relationships during these troubling times. People want to feel that they are not alone; staying connected for morale building and potential financial opportunities is more important than ever.

Feeling a bit shy or put off by cliques? No worries - try breaking the ice by going up to people and reading their name tags. Where else can you get away with looking at women's chests?

So whether you're freelance of if you're working in a company and about to go freelance (by choice or maybe not!), stay in motion and keep those networks open (whether it's via a Meetup group or an IABC event, for example). And be sure to carry an ample amount of business cards. It never ceases to amaze me how many people run out of cards; if you do run low, try to be selective with your distribution. You don't want to give out your card to someone who winds up chewing your ear off about whale-watching in Maine.

If you really want to get the attention of a potential business contact, transport your cards in a swish little carrying case. It'll keep you organized and stylish...and best of all, it will help them remember you among the array of other names and faces they've encountered.  

-Kelly

What a brilliant idea....

I've just been sent a promotional flyer inviting me to adopt a word. 

Yep - here it is - it's a christmas charity thingie for a great charity...check it out.

Liam

A funny thing happened in a focus group

Someone just said "it's all part of the fun of working here..."

I wonder if anyone ever says that in connection to anything really positive?

Liam

You couldn't make it up....

As someone who started his career in local government you won't find me rushing to bash local councils.  I even stood for election once (well it was for the Labour Party in a ward where average house prices were around £2million - about ten years ago).

But flying back from a training course in Sweden last week I was moaning to Sue Dewhurst about my local council and how it's taken them 2 years to repair my local swimming pool (in which time the council up the road has build and opened two new pools).

The council has been run by the same people for years with little challenge.  They take increasing numbers of decisions behind closed doors.

And then I opened my paper and saw this story. Yep - that's my local council.

Apparently the chief executive gets to work a four day week with no pay cut.

I'm not begruding someone's right to reduce their hours - lord knows I'd love to work less for the same money.

But how insensitive can you get???

The Leader of the Council is quoted as saying the downshifting CEO needs to 'indulge his passion for music'.  Fantastic.

At a time when the massive investment in saving our banking system can only mean cuts in public services eventually how do you explain this one to the people who work for you?

I don't need to rant on too much, but I guess this is what you get when people don't get challenged and lose touch with what people are really thinking.

Liam