Task lists are too general to be much use. When we get round to implementing them - we've forgotten the intended details. If we break them down into sub groups and add notes to help our future selves remember what it was all about, we're much more likely to achieve the task, or take a decision that it's been over-taken by other things and strike it off.

Labels: business organisation, task lists

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 23:10 0 Comments

Spread your business name with social media

Promote your brand consistently by registering an available username on the best social media sites. You can find out what's available at namechk.com/(without www).

Labels: boosting your business, business names, social media

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 23:05 0 Comments

Creative Thought

"The flypaper of an unfocused mind"..."may trap new ideas and unexpected associations" better than reasoning according to researchers. So instead of working hard, try lightening up to get some perspective on the things that are important and allow the mental cogs to freewheel once in a while.

Labels: creative thinking, PR, running a business

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 23:03 0 Comments

Generating Ideas

How often do you have a great idea at your desk? No? In the shower? Or in bed? Breakthrough by not working!

Labels: creative thinking, PR, running a business

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 22:58 0 Comments

Thursday, 8 October 2009

4Networking Founder in Edinburgh

See details for Brad Burton at 4 networking in Edinburgh 13 & 14 + Glasgow 15th at: http://ping.fm/VCe3d

Labels: 4networking, Brad Burton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, PR

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 17:19 0 Comments

4Networking Edinburgh Haymarket

Fantastic level of energy at the 4networking Edinburgh Haymarket meeting this morning - and 3 more business appointments
www.4networking.biz

Labels: 4Networking Edinburgh, PR

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 17:15 0 Comments

Tuesday, 6 October 2009

Clarity in Communications

Jon Moon's simple idea about Words in Tables has spawned many ramifications, but they all lead to one end: better communications. Always insightful and entertaining, his free taster sessions on injecting clarity into communications are an education in themselves.

Labels: clear communications, Jon Moon, PR, Words in Tables

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 13:15 0 Comments

Build relationships with the media online

Look out for an inexpensive online training courses from the National Union of Journalists' Scottish office shows how editors and journalists select stories and how to connect to them. Called Interactive Media Awareness.

Labels: NUJ, PR, Scotland, training

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 13:10 0 Comments

Subbing Copy - time to revive a lost wordsmithing art?

The National Union for Journalists in Scotland have produced a bargain (imho) online course designed to teach how to produce intelligible and attractive copy, with headings that are fit for professional publications.

Labels: journalism, NUJ, PR, Scotland, training, writing

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 13:08 0 Comments

Forwarding Is the New Networking

Tom Davenport's The Next Big Thing blog at Harvard Business says forwarding info is a way of saying, "I know what you're interested in, and I'm thinking about you."

But he points out "you can go too far with forwarding" and advises against being "a mass forwarder". Many executives complain they got too many indiscriminate forwards.

He says, "Forwarding to a list (or retweeting to a list of followers, BTW) cheapens the networking value of the act. It's the online equivalent of finding a credit card offer from Capital One in your mailbox".

Labels: Harvard Business, PR, social media, social media etiquette

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 13:05 0 Comments

Why the Wrong People Get Laid Off

Really thought provoking piece in a Harvard Business School blog by Peter Bregman on "Why the Wrong People Get Laid Off - essentially they are "too confusing to fire" because no-one understands the consequences of getting rid of them.

Means that in a downturn, better organised people who communicate more (and are much more effective employees) get the heave-ho. Another reason why smaller businesses have an edge over larger organisations?

But also a warning not to let it happen in your business.

Labels: communications, Harvard Business, running a business

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 12:53 0 Comments

PhotoSketch blends found online images seamlessly

Very clever internet image montage app being developed called PhotoSketch - pulls images from the web together using text tags then blends and synthesises.

Labels: photo montage, PR

posted by Penny Haywood Calder # 12:45 0 Comments

Free website software

DIY PR by Penny Haywood Calder

Monday, 26 October 2009

PHPR Shortlisted for VIBES

Groucho on Money

Eleanor Roosevelt on motivation

Friday, 23 October 2009

Winter fitness

Monday, 19 October 2009

Working through it all

Monday, 12 October 2009

Task List Improvement