All posts by Editor

Websites

Wcx Cool links for 2009-03-09

Consultancy

Create Workshops

lancaster-university

Last week I did How To Grow Your Business Online workshop for  Lancaster university create project run by Joseph Buglass . The university well known for its management school. Is currently ranked third in the UK and is known for  encouragement of entrepreneurship.  So much so that Lancaster University Management School has hosted the first university-based Entrepreneurial Summit last year. One which is to be followed up by Sheffield university this year.

So what do you present to a group of young entrepreneurs? Cost saving factors is always going to be appreciate. I tended to focus on some things that I had learnt the hard the way and allowed them to ask questions. With so much advice and expertise on the Internet is really is about showing them what is important. I think the advice that stuck with them the most is “if you have not got the time to build a network to market your product than you will have to question what are you doing”.  It is all about delivering above expectation so that they tell their friends and their friends. Whom naturally trust them.

The added benefit with doing this sort of presentation is that it brings you full circle so that you engage in your own projects in a more focused way.

Relationship

Amazing Presentation In The Most Ordinary Way

creativeJust got back from a presentation from four23 which is multi discipline creative studio. The presentation demonstrate the difference between corporate and creative lifestyles and how they by working together they achieve each other goals. Something that I hear constantly is how companies are looking  for the right person. It was noted  in the presentation how developing ones self is  one of the most important aspects in work/life balance.

What was also fascinating was the style with which it was delivered. I think often if you just want to explain something the best way is just talk about it. Too often people get caught up with how they think it should be rather than what it simply  is.

Management

Instinct, when you know there is something wrong

I can remember a time in my life when I was working for a company that appeared to have all the right rules and do all the right things. Every employee would have to spend 4 days per a year  helping the community. A lot of their products ware eco friendly etc. To the outside world it looked like a great company. I left.

It turns out years later that the MD was convicted of  false accounting from the company amongst whole list of crimes. None of the other directors saw it, nobody saw it, or they decided not to do anything about it.

Can of worms.

Sometimes you know something is wrong it is like a slight vibration on skin.

Instinct is a good thing, trust it…

fun

The Five Minute Management Course

No idea who it is by, just in by email. 🙂

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.

The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.

When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour.

Before she says a word, Bob says, ‘I’ll give you $800 to drop that towel.’

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, ‘Who was that?’

‘It was Bob the next door neighbour,’ she replies.

‘Great,’ the husband says, ‘did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?’

Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2:

A priest offered a Nun a lift.

She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.

The priest nearly had an accident.

After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, ‘Father, remember Psalm 129?’

The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, ‘Father, remember Psalm 129?’

The priest apologized ‘Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.’

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, ‘Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.’

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, ‘I’ll give each of you just one wish.’
‘Me first! Me first!’ says the admin clerk. ‘I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.’
Puff! She’s gone.

‘Me next! Me next!’ says the sales rep. ‘I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pena Coladas and the love of my life.’

Puff! He’s gone.

‘OK, you’re up,’ the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, ‘I want those two back in the office after lunch.’
Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.
Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, ‘Can I also sit like you and do nothing?’
The eagle answered: ‘Sure, why not.’

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.
Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

‘I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree’ sighed the turkey, ‘but I haven’t got the energy.’
‘Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?’ replied the bull. They’re packed with nutrients.’

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there..
Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.

(3) And when you’re in deep shit, it’s best to keep your mouth shut!

THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

ideas

Well Done Mr Obama

Mr Obama has done very well to get his stimulus package through both legislative houses in America. Bill Clinton in comparison failed in 1993 to get mere 16 billion through. There is lot at stake at the moment not only the economic recovery but also the integrity on a political leader to deliver on his promise.

Mr Obama methods could not be more contrasting to the out going republican administration who pursued a policy that America could dictate it’s terms to the world. With American debt spiralling out of control Mr Obama has realised that this is no longer case. It is sad reflection that would think that table banging politics could ever work. Mr Obama’s policy of bipartisan is still currently being subject to spoilt child tactics of the republicans. Who if they can not get there way take their ball and refuse to play.

He is on the right track. Better to engage although more costly and time consuming and win the battle of minds. There is only so much one can do. Without general consent it has no credibility. The key is how does one engage all parties. Choosing your method is critical, than again if it does not work you can always try another one. Cleary Mr Obama’s methode has worked.

business

Second Life, A Differnet View

I have just watched the video which you can see below from Ted about what is happening at Second Life – virtual world. The next big area of growth will be virtual worlds in the coming decade. In fact I would go so far as to describe it as Web 3.0. The complete immersion of ones self into internet reality. Not only having two way communication but body communication too.

It interesting to wonder what sort of world would people create given the free reign of their imagination. Unfortunately just before  christmas I read some where that down town on second life had became exactly the same as any major city in the world. Predictably? possible. As quoted from the website “The Second Life Grid™ provides the platform where the Second Life world resides and offers the tools for business, educators, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs to develop a virtual presence. Headquartered in San Francisco, Linden Lab has over 250 employees spread across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.”

So it is a business tool. The technology has still has long way to go but it is very interesting hearing from Philip Rosedale the founder of this.