work – Dignity by Design

RETAILER’s: Open on Holidays? Are we outraged or are we ignorant?

…… This is my take – Holidays mean 3 things to the average citizen:

A paid day off from work (but not in retail)
Football, Family, Food (But not in retail)
Traditional family time (But not in retail).

Retail

So perhaps we shouldn’t leave it up to the hard working employees to suffer the consequences for our greed – perhaps we should support the retailers that choose to honor those employees with quality family time off, visit their stores (after the holiday) and simply NOT SHOP on holidays…..

There is the flip-side to this coin: Employees that don’t have or want family time. Should they be forced to lose the income for those holidays? Should the employer pay holiday pay to all that don’t work on holidays (this will never happen – perhaps for management – but not for the hourly workers) – or give them the choice to work?

There are always two sides (or many) to the coin. Opinions??

Is the Legacy Marketing Professional extinct in today’s business arena?

Marketing2

I recently read a job posting for a
“Digital Marketing Coordinator” position (and have seen these increasingly over the past 10 years or so) which describes the position as follows:

“You will be a part of the Marketing Communications team and will
take on the launch of their new site as well as take on responsibility
for digital marketing strategy, campaigns, platforms, etc! The right
fit will have;

– 2+ years’ experience in the digital marketing space
– Experience working in a very technical industry
– Strong background in all things digital (email, website, social,
SEO/SEM, Google AdWords, etc!)
– Writing chops

This team is looking for someone to come in and own the digital
marketing space, drive demand, and bring ideas to the table in a
knowledgeable and collaborative way. ”

Nice position, Right??

But….Note: The company is REALLY looking at 2 very separate positions – for the price of 1.
Don’t get me wrong – most creatives have a strong technical background (or at least, many do) but the true Marketing role is intense: Analytics, marketplace knowledge, market development and strategies, copy, print knowledge and MAJOR copy writing and visual placement “chops” – not to mention KILLER networking broad base knowledge and connects.
Now…throw in “all things digital”….Website maintenance? SEO/SEM, social media (daily, hourly, minute by minute – add Hootsuite and some of that is managed) – but you still have to come up with the copy and visuals. ANYWAY………………

The point of this lengthy review is:

SHOUT OUT TO COMPANIES: Hire what you need – know WHAT you need – and PAY for the expertise.

Defending Peace Production Services

I’m right…you’re wrong.

I recently read the following:

(Note: Below was a post from FB. I’m deleting the name to protect the fool that wrote it….)

“What do people who reject the God of the Bible become? In America they have become the Liberal/Left Socialists. In Russia and China they became Communists. How about those who create another God, what do they become? In the Middle East they have become Muslims who enslave, torture and behead people.The choice of who to become is so crystal clear. It really only depends on who you want to be and how you want to live. It doesn’t take any imagination at all…the evidence is all around us.”

My response is as follows:

A) The president of a Virginia Ku Klux Klan group claims that “the KKK is a faith-based Christian organization that does not condone violence.”

B) The oldest reference to Allah (“God” Islam/Muslim) – was discovered in Northern and Southern Arabia dating back to the fifth century B.C. To state that all Muslims enslave, torture and behead is beyond radical. Muhammad was a peaceful prophet.

C) Buddhism was founded in 624 B.C. Buddha was a peaceful prophet.

They all had their “God” and Prophets and Bibles and martyrs to the faith, long before the Christian Bible.

Also, to claim that all non-Christian bible thumpers (NOT non-Christians, mind you) are Liberals/Socialists is incorrect. However, I do think it might be a great compliment: If not for the Socialists of this country our forefathers and children would not have the Unions – which protected the middle class and poor during the industrial revolution through today. Also, the Socialist Party has no combined or recognized affiliation with Communism.

To be so pompous and self-righteous as to state that one’s beliefs are more correct than another’s beliefs is purely ignorant. And, to attach misguided lies to support one’s superiority, or belief, is egocentric – not religious.

If I choose to believe that blue eye shadow is an abomination to me – does that mean that those who choose to wear it are wrong??

Up Against Goliath…How’s your aim David?

Over the past years I’ve been up against some pretty powerful odds:

Unethical employers and Unethical banking institutions.

Generally one fight alone would be enough to do in the common man (or woman in my case) and it has been a brutal fight uphill – but I’ve had the great fortune of family, friends and a powerful & influential network of trusted colleagues and resources.

The fight goes on, however – and I’m not yet sure if I will land under the heavy foot of Goliath or prevail through determination, hard work, shear will…..and an imaginary slingshot.

Howling to the Moon? (Taxing Big Business)

Walmart2

Agreed — but so did Target and Sears and most big retailers. Government must demand more in taxing large corporations, closing loopholes and requiring more in social and family responsibility from ALL retailers – not to mention many of the so called “non-profits” that make millions on the disadvantaged.

We must also look at all of the major corporations and medical product suppliers who continually pay their assembly workers and support staff $10-12 hour. Who is going after them? Banks were bailed out of the giant mess that they created in the mid 2000’s and yet they remain immovable in sharing relief to a desperate economy.

I see Walmart as the scapegoat for the bigger picture. Yes, they should be included into the solution most definitely, but they are no worse, nor better, than thousands of corporations – and our Government is giving them carte blanche.

Howling to the moon? Probably.

HIRE ME! The Entrepreneur as an Employee….what?? OMG!!

We’re leary as business owners, right? Will the Entrepreneur overshadow me, my current employees OR most importantly: Bring value and skills to my business, without being a gazelle, or a King/Queen? Insight 101: In this economy – with an 80% failure rate in start up businesses – the current entrepreneur has learned humility along with a solid business education – if they have been wise enough to take it in and stand tall.

Here is my answer to my business colleagues: Buy, Buy, Buy!!

The true entrepreneur thinks outside of the box and can bring a wealth of talent into your business:

Having tame yet empowered entrepreneurs within a company is the dream for most business owners. These are employees who will undertake something new, without being asked to do so. They are innovative and creative – they are people who can transform an idea into a profitable venture for your business. They strike the perfect balance – act like entrepreneurs, but they work for you.”
–The Barking Mad Blog http://www.neilsteggall.org/ SME Advice with bite!

Search within your Network for the entrepreneur (with the skills that match your business
model) as your next awesome employee.

It’s the no-brainer way to obtain growth and innovation within your company!!!!