It's amazing, you have nothing for a spell and then like most things, several come along in one go out of the blue. It's always flattering getting offers but it does bug me having such secrecy and so on to start with. Why on earth do you get agencies saying something like 'we've been shortlisting CV's of which you're one of the final candidates we'd like to put forward...' I'm sure you would but if you're not telling me who or what this role is and where it is and anything else in addition to failing to highlight their skills and abilities just puts them in a weaker position in my opinion.
There's so many jobs in sales it's crazy, you might as well have a revolving door at my office the staff turnover is so high and it's not necessary to be this way. Sadly if we were going to be brutally honest, it all boils down to the mismanagement of staff. If you have a confident team, a positive buzz and ethos and reward peoples efforts or at least recognise them, people will stay... if you don't have this air around you, it will get stagnant and all too easy to feel like you would be better off elsewhere. Sadly as I've proven it's almost always better the devil you know than the one you don't.
Tuesday 22 March 2011
Monday 21 March 2011
Current affairs...
Now I'm far from being a hippy but I'm really concerned about all the madness that's bubbled to the surface in the world. Now many people know the wars we see televised don't even cover half of the ones that don't make it to our screens at home.
So what's the fuss with all this stuff? Iraq, Iran, North Korea (oh yeah they're still trigger happy), Japan (it's like the oriental version of the New Orleans catastrophe) and now Libya... now if it's not just bad luck or an act of God, all of these terrible things boil down to one country either forcing its will on to the people who are tired of being told what to do/think/believe etc... or one or more countries ogling enviously over its neighbours resources.
Now we all know effectively the world as we know it would grind to a halt without oil - everything is based upon this resource. Ironically we can't live with it and can't live without it. Westernised civilisations are clinging onto its authority and power but the balance is swaying back east with India and China looking ready to blow the traditional cultures away economically.
We have to really take a long hard look at the events that are happening and try to look a little harder at everything to not just simply accept all the gubbins that is spoon fed to us through some less than impartial means with alterior motives. I'm definitely not sympathising with the oppressive dictatorships who are holding on for dear life now they've incured the wrath of NATO, but it just seems as though we are all itching for a fight... yet it's madness simply blowing everything up which is 'bad', as if we don't have the structures in place to enforce the new era and positive changes, there'll be a vacuum and of course as we all pat ourselves on the back for a good job well done and walk away, the poor souls left there to now rebuild their lives whilst we dip our hands in to the cookie jar to try and make more money and dig ourselves out of the debt our lovely banks have created for us by taking the occupied state's resources for our own gains (because let's face it, we wouldn't give too much care if it wasn't believed we could get something better out of it - and let's not delude ourselves with thinking it's to protect ourselves from 'them' as we no longer have a 'them', we fight everyone wherever they are - even on our own shores.)
In the 1950's US had a trouble with those believed to be communists or sympathisers, now it's terrorists in all its various forms, yet in this hysteria and hype in the media we lose focus on what terrorism is, in all its forms and don't know how to deal with those willing to inflict harm on anyone indiscriminately - let alone with preventing those or looking at the reasons why people would wish to choose this path rather than a normal, peaceful one. Just seems so funny when everyone's got so many options and freedom of choice, more people seem to pick routes which aren't good... but isn't that what happens when you give the world to people yet not educate them how to deal with it and the tools to make the right decisions. Sadly there'll always be those who'll prey on the vulnerable, weak and less fortunate.
The oddest thing about all this is how on the same pages in all the newspapers and news shows are lame stories which try to touch our hearts... I think it's fair to say we're so numbed from all the information and mixed messages, we don't know what to feel any more. And don't even get me started on the state of benefits and how we seem to be hurting ourselves with helping out people who have no intention to work, whether they are from here or elsewhere... who knows?! Just seems to be mad to me!
So what's the fuss with all this stuff? Iraq, Iran, North Korea (oh yeah they're still trigger happy), Japan (it's like the oriental version of the New Orleans catastrophe) and now Libya... now if it's not just bad luck or an act of God, all of these terrible things boil down to one country either forcing its will on to the people who are tired of being told what to do/think/believe etc... or one or more countries ogling enviously over its neighbours resources.
Now we all know effectively the world as we know it would grind to a halt without oil - everything is based upon this resource. Ironically we can't live with it and can't live without it. Westernised civilisations are clinging onto its authority and power but the balance is swaying back east with India and China looking ready to blow the traditional cultures away economically.
We have to really take a long hard look at the events that are happening and try to look a little harder at everything to not just simply accept all the gubbins that is spoon fed to us through some less than impartial means with alterior motives. I'm definitely not sympathising with the oppressive dictatorships who are holding on for dear life now they've incured the wrath of NATO, but it just seems as though we are all itching for a fight... yet it's madness simply blowing everything up which is 'bad', as if we don't have the structures in place to enforce the new era and positive changes, there'll be a vacuum and of course as we all pat ourselves on the back for a good job well done and walk away, the poor souls left there to now rebuild their lives whilst we dip our hands in to the cookie jar to try and make more money and dig ourselves out of the debt our lovely banks have created for us by taking the occupied state's resources for our own gains (because let's face it, we wouldn't give too much care if it wasn't believed we could get something better out of it - and let's not delude ourselves with thinking it's to protect ourselves from 'them' as we no longer have a 'them', we fight everyone wherever they are - even on our own shores.)
In the 1950's US had a trouble with those believed to be communists or sympathisers, now it's terrorists in all its various forms, yet in this hysteria and hype in the media we lose focus on what terrorism is, in all its forms and don't know how to deal with those willing to inflict harm on anyone indiscriminately - let alone with preventing those or looking at the reasons why people would wish to choose this path rather than a normal, peaceful one. Just seems so funny when everyone's got so many options and freedom of choice, more people seem to pick routes which aren't good... but isn't that what happens when you give the world to people yet not educate them how to deal with it and the tools to make the right decisions. Sadly there'll always be those who'll prey on the vulnerable, weak and less fortunate.
The oddest thing about all this is how on the same pages in all the newspapers and news shows are lame stories which try to touch our hearts... I think it's fair to say we're so numbed from all the information and mixed messages, we don't know what to feel any more. And don't even get me started on the state of benefits and how we seem to be hurting ourselves with helping out people who have no intention to work, whether they are from here or elsewhere... who knows?! Just seems to be mad to me!
Real Ale...
I'm sure that in other parts of the world there are some great drinks but I have to admit the real ale we have in the UK is great. CAMRA (the campaign for real ale) is really firmly behind promoting the small and big real ale makers and it's great that local breweries make something which is found locally in the various freehouses around the country, it's just a shame that you sometimes have to travel quite a bit to get the drink you really like. However, having said that, it's what helps make the experience a little more special and refined.
Ip Man
Watched the movie Ip Man last night and it was really amazing, sad and graphic at points, but it did have the odd hole in it such as when he's facing the general in his cell and at all the other times he has to use an interpreter to speak with the Japanese officer. I guess it's all down to artistic interpretation but it was a shame to let the continuity down at such a scene.
In terms of kick ass action, it really doesn't disappoint although it's not quite as full on as some of the other titles on the martial arts circuit, there's some great sequences and scenes that will astonish you. The artistic angle did kick in at the final scene which again didn't really appear necessary at this stage but it was still good. It's a great deal better than Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon which was way too long and drawn out and boring too, as were many of the other aesthetically appealing films in this genre.
In terms of kick ass action, it really doesn't disappoint although it's not quite as full on as some of the other titles on the martial arts circuit, there's some great sequences and scenes that will astonish you. The artistic angle did kick in at the final scene which again didn't really appear necessary at this stage but it was still good. It's a great deal better than Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon which was way too long and drawn out and boring too, as were many of the other aesthetically appealing films in this genre.
Breaking new boundaries...
It's funny how small victories sometimes takes the longest time to turn things around from start to finish. I won a contract from a motoring client today and for the first time ever we've managed to get a motoring client in. This is a turning of the tide in lots of ways and bucks the trend of purely getting as many regular 'safe' clients onboard and it's taken the blinkers off sourcing new forms of revenue from non-traditional clients.
Funny thing about all this is the office failed to realise that this is quite the coup that it actually is. In many ways this subtle change is amazing for me as no-one else picks up on it, meaning I can keep tapping into this while everyone else plays it safe.
Funny thing about all this is the office failed to realise that this is quite the coup that it actually is. In many ways this subtle change is amazing for me as no-one else picks up on it, meaning I can keep tapping into this while everyone else plays it safe.
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Loyalty
It's funny what loyalty gets you... for some, respect, others, hate... for me, I've been approached by my old manager to try and tempt me away to work for another company but I'm not interested despite the efforts (which are quite commendable).
I don't see why I should just swap one situation for another and start all over again at the bottom of the ladder and have to prove myself again in a similar but different situation. Several years ago I think I would have been quite excited and lept at the chance but maybe being a little cynical and more worldly I'm less than enthusiastic as I know all he really wants is all my contacts, my relationships and probably most importantly, someone he can rely on to dig him out of a hole (people in the office environment always like to surround themselves with those who they know are useful). This is flattering on the one side but I'm not fussed on taking the leap if it's nothing new.
Funnily enough, it appears that a colleague of mine has ditched the job and left us in the lurch. The chap's been saying how much he wants to be promoted, so another mate at work vouched for him and within two weeks he throws in the towel claiming to be sick and not taking any calls or making any effort other than once to come in. Now we have to wait until the legal aspect of his contract are worked out before he goes (or stays) as we're none the wiser as to his situation as we're left in the dark. We'll have to wait and see what happens next... it's funny how things go in cycles as he clearly got tempted away by the promises my old manager made (as rumour has it). Thing is by telling us what they're trying to do (setting up a competitor business in my area) has let the cat out of the bag and I'm prepared to take them down - after all I'm established and they're still trying to get their foot in the door!
Loyalty... perhaps one day it'll be rewarded?!
I don't see why I should just swap one situation for another and start all over again at the bottom of the ladder and have to prove myself again in a similar but different situation. Several years ago I think I would have been quite excited and lept at the chance but maybe being a little cynical and more worldly I'm less than enthusiastic as I know all he really wants is all my contacts, my relationships and probably most importantly, someone he can rely on to dig him out of a hole (people in the office environment always like to surround themselves with those who they know are useful). This is flattering on the one side but I'm not fussed on taking the leap if it's nothing new.
Funnily enough, it appears that a colleague of mine has ditched the job and left us in the lurch. The chap's been saying how much he wants to be promoted, so another mate at work vouched for him and within two weeks he throws in the towel claiming to be sick and not taking any calls or making any effort other than once to come in. Now we have to wait until the legal aspect of his contract are worked out before he goes (or stays) as we're none the wiser as to his situation as we're left in the dark. We'll have to wait and see what happens next... it's funny how things go in cycles as he clearly got tempted away by the promises my old manager made (as rumour has it). Thing is by telling us what they're trying to do (setting up a competitor business in my area) has let the cat out of the bag and I'm prepared to take them down - after all I'm established and they're still trying to get their foot in the door!
Loyalty... perhaps one day it'll be rewarded?!
Monday 7 March 2011
Need a nap!
Man, it's been a long couple of days - travelling around the UK to see relatives far away and then doing all the other incidental stuff like getting my hair cut and doing a spot of shopping.
Stumbled upon an American food store and picked up a couple of things which I've not had for ages.
Now all I really want to do is get ready for bed as it's going to be probably another long day tomorrow with some training sessions to go to in another part of the country. I just hope that all this training is beneficial as I could really do with getting more sales in to make some decent money!
Stumbled upon an American food store and picked up a couple of things which I've not had for ages.
Now all I really want to do is get ready for bed as it's going to be probably another long day tomorrow with some training sessions to go to in another part of the country. I just hope that all this training is beneficial as I could really do with getting more sales in to make some decent money!
Thursday 3 March 2011
Behind every great man is a greater woman...
I think it's true... whenever I think about the concept of getting somewhere in life it's easy to see why people get distracted. There's probably loads of people who forget what they really enjoy doing, fall disenchanted with whatever they thought would be great and then stumble upon something else before someone else lands in with another fun thing.
In my case I have loads of ideas and it falls by the wayside as I allow life and my own silly distractions take my eye off the ball. Thankfully I've an amazing wife who gives me a stern talking to from time to time and reminds me I should knuckle down.
In my case I have loads of ideas and it falls by the wayside as I allow life and my own silly distractions take my eye off the ball. Thankfully I've an amazing wife who gives me a stern talking to from time to time and reminds me I should knuckle down.
Meeting Steve Miller...
I met Steve Miller today and that was really cool. We had a bit of a chat about his shows, his career and what he's going to be doing next... he's looking to introduce a new service which will no doubt be very popular and I'm sure it will be a real money-maker!
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