Two years ago I sought professional help in order to overcome my chronic personal procrastination. I worked with a life coach who helped me develop strategies for setting personals goals and achieving them.
Until that point, I had excelled at procrastination – I took the opportunity to avoid taking action better than anyone I knew. My personal development, health, finances, relationships and direction had definitely suffered. (more…)
On becoming a dad almost two weeks ago, I thought it would be appropriate for me to post here to mark the arrival of our boy Noah Thomas and to reflect on an amazing experience.
So here follows 17 reasons why managing a social media program is like having a baby.
I am sure that there are many more – please add in comments.
And here is Noah. Ain’t he gorgeous!!
Tags: childbirth, labour, parenting, socialmedia, strategy
I have just finished reading one of the best history books that I have ever read: ‘The American Future: A History‘ by Simon Schama.
The book charts the development of the military in the America from Lincoln up to the present day, pretty much, starting with the establishment of the West Point, the famous military academy.
The book explains that many of the Founding Fathers resisted the idea of a military force for the purposes of expansion, empire building and control believing that democracy rightfully implemented would not require enforcement via military powers.
The first graduates of West Point were trained in civil engineering as much as they were in military strategy. The books focuses on Montgomery C. Meigs (1816 to 1892), a total legend by all accounts who built monuments, public works (aqueducts, bridges etc.) and served as Quartermaster General of the US Army during and after the American Civil War. Montgomery C. Meigs was by all accounts a very civilised, progressive, noble and talented individual.
The great thing about Schama’s writing in this book (the first that I have read) is the way he identifies individuals and uses them to convey the events of the day. It makes reading history very engaging.
The book deals in detail with the abolitionist movement and the multi-culturalisation of North America, covering the experience of Mexicans, the native Americans, Chinese immigrants, the Irish and African Americans.
I thought Schama sat on the fence somewhat in his analysis of the American military machine while acknowledging that the military basically exists to fulfil the nation’s desire to consume, conquer, extend its borders and enslave. In other words to look after its own.
He takes the view that anything can happen in America and leaves us on a hopeful note in relation to the likely use of its power (diminishing as it is). On finishing this book, I immediately purchased ‘A History of Britain – At the Edge of the World?‘ by the same author. If you’ve read it please don’t tell me what happens.
Lets hope that sane people remain at the helm in the United States for the foreseeable future.
I just saw a TV advertisment for Pedigree Light. Pedigree Light!! That’s right…low fat dog food. I’ve got a suggestion for humans with fat dogs. It goes like this.
“Stop maltreating your dog, take it for longer walks and feed it less.”
Yeah, yeah, your dog has problems with its glands… heard it all before.
Stupid product supported by a stupid ad for stupid people.
Jesus!!
Tags: collie, diet, dog, food, hound, laziness, pooch, pup, stupidity
I suppose I should intersperse all of these recent Twitter updates (a new plug-in) with some intelligent commentary about something or other or perhaps just a simple old update about this and that.
We went live with a new website for Burson-Marsteller Australia. You can find it at www.bm.com/australia.
Its about time that we had a local web presence given the fact that we are advising many clients on digital PR and social media strategy. The site is a starting point, which we will add to and develop over time. The site is based on Microsoft Sharepoint, which I found to be an ‘OK but slightly frustrating’ content management tool.
We are currently working on a really exciting research project for Australia and working with clients on a number of digital projects and some cool new business projects. More on this later.
I am also judging a competition for the International Advertising Association and have a medium sized cardboard box of entries from teams of University students to read through over the weekend.
As a daily habit, I have started reading www.techmeme.com in the morning. I am finding that its a great way to keep up to date with what’s happening in digital and tech generally.
Tags: australia, digital, IAA, PR, sharepoint, Technology, Web
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