Advertising the Freecycle Way: Round 2

If you haven’t yet seen the true grassroots “advertising” called Freecycle, then you’re in for a treat. The website allows anyone to get rid of their unwanted belongings, fosters exchanges of items one no longer wants or needs, and allows others to get miscellaneous things they DO want. And no money changes hands; it's all free. It often cracks me up at what’s being given away and what is wanted.

This is not in any way meant to poke fun at people who “recycle” or “freecycle.” I am as concerned as the next person about keeping things out of our landfills and putting still useful items to good use. But come on, people. Do you really want some things that have been used by other people??? Maybe it’s just me and my super-sensitive cleanliness, avoiding germs phobia…but someone else’s used makeup samples make me cringe. And taxidermied animals?

Granted some of these do have a story.  The person who posted the ad for the heels of bread indicated her family wouldn’t eat the heels so they save them for a future use…that simply never occurred.

Enjoy…things I never thought I would see advertised:

WANTED:  Baby Items (especially diapers) for 2 diaper cake

(editorial comment: this is a party I don’t want to be invited to!)

WANTED: MAKEUP SAMPLES (CLINIQUE, LANCOME, ESTEE LAUDER FOR BUSY MOM

TAKEN:  Just Opened Quart of Low Fat Buttermilk

OFFER: Gerber Rice Cereal (Going to expire Feb 19, 2010)

Offer : crutches sz 5'2" to 5'10"

OFFER: bag of whole wheat bread heels

OFFER: Misc. items 

1. Array of greeting cards

2. X-mas craft booklets (8)

3. 16X20 mirror without frame

4. Small box of Styrofoam packing material 

Medical: 

1. Pre-filled syringes with 0.9% of sodium chloride 10ml (4)

2. Pre-filled syringes with 10 units/ml of heparin 5ml (18)

3. "Wing Guard" PICC line securing device

Offer - Heavy Duty Cardboard Tubes

Offer: Miscellaneous bag of odd socks

WANTED: Small taxidermied animals

WANTED: broken dresser drawers

Wanted: "The No-Cry Sleep Solution”

Wanted:  Toliet  (sic)

TAKEN: Band-aids

TAKEN: older people diapers size s/m for both Male and Female  

If you’re interested in any of these items, just sign up at Freecycle.org.

Signs I Love

One of the most entertaining things about travel, at home or abroad, is noticing interesting signs. Many times the signs are attempting to communicate in the most simplistic way so the message can cut across multiple languages. Sometimes there are words and sometimes not...yet, they usually manage to get the point across, however humorously the effect may be.

Here are some signs I've seen and enjoyed in my travels...

From a dock outside Juneau, Alaska

From Ketchikan, Alaska, a former church that is now the local mortuary

A pub in Tallinn, Estonia

I got a chuckle from the sign "Medieval Food and Drinks" from a refreshment shack outside the cruise ship docks in Tallinn, Estonia.

Copenhagen, Denmark...a sign from the top observation platform of the Round Tower

Sign in Tivoli, Copenhagen for the baby changing facility -- adorable!

Handicap parking outside a library in Copenhagen...

Beautiful shop window for Very Important Clothes in Stockholm, Sweden

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy heart day to friends and family, near and far. Enjoy a warm, comfy day surrounded by those you love.

The 10 worst management practices of all time?

I ran across an article this morning in Business Week on the 10 worst management theories of all time and was intrigued: Ten Management Practices to Axe

If you don't read this article and think to yourself, "Oh my God. These are oh-too-familiar to me," I'd be surprised. I have seen many of these practices implemented in places where I’ve worked, have questioned the effectiveness and rationale of them, and yet, as a loyal employee, was compelled to embrace management’s new philosophies on running the organization. 

I’m also certain there are many management practices that weren’t captured in this article and I’ve come up with a few that I’ve seen in action. Most of these are implemented with the best intentions: to help the company to be more productive, to make more money, to raise its public profile, to aid in new employee recruitment…but sometimes the results are not as intended.

1. When in doubt about what to do or if you don’t want to make changes yourself, bring in a consultant. I have witnessed the money spent, changes made, and the ensuing failures because of recommendations made by McKinsey, Accenture, management consultants, organizational consultants, and HR consultants. Often, I think it’s the people within an organization who have the best (and most cost effective) ideas for how to make a company more efficient. Someone just has to be empowered to make the changes happen.
2. Writing job descriptions: I have seen people hired into positions for which there was no job description…then the manager asked the employee to write her job description. Does the job description then capture what the employee wants to do or what the organization needs to support meeting its goals? If I’m hiring someone for a job, I must be very clear about what I’m hiring someone to do, the core responsibilities, required tasks, and scope of the job…otherwise how can I assure of making a good hire and getting someone with the right skills.
3. Change compensation structures regularly; some companies don’t want employees to become complacent, expect raises or bonuses, or think they have opportunities to be promoted. By changing the compensation structure, method of evaluating employees, and rating system every few years (usually as a result of a consultant’s recommendation or new management) then companies know that disgruntled employees may leave, content company-loyalists will stay and others will know that their pay scale is more limited but what can they do. The practice demoralizes employees and creates mistrust of the employer.
4. Implementing employee recognition programs…then ditching them, usually by never mentioning it again. This leaves people scratching their heads and wondering if they just were never recognized, if others were, or if the company simply doesn’t care about retaining valuable, contributing employees. Again, it’s a practice that builds mistrust in the workplace and it doesn’t have to happen. A good employee recognition program should be a way to motivate employees, to provide incentive to go above and beyond what is expected, to come up with innovative ideas, and to reward employees who think, care and want to make a difference.
5. Group interviews of job candidates: companies sometimes do this as a way to test the group interaction, to determine possible “fit” of a candidate, to maximize schedules and get every interested person in the room at the same time  (the “come and get ‘em” approach), or to demonstrate that “we all work as a team and this is the team you’d be working with so we’d all better like you.” This type of interview can devolve into the employees making inside jokes, wondering why you’re interviewing here, and chitchatting so no one gets to know a candidate very well. It’s harder for a candidate to shine and highlight his or her strengths.
6. Implementing layoffs (yes, layoffs, not firings as a result of poor performance) without letting other staff know. Typically word gets around a company faster than HR could imagine when there are layoffs occurring; everyone knows the conference room schedule changes, manager schedule changes, and closed doors to watch out for. So it’s well known that layoffs are happening within a department but no one advises after the fact as to how many or who was affected. If you’re working with someone on a project, it’s inconvenient, not to mention disturbing, to find out days later that she’s no longer with the company and no notification or contingent planning has gone out. This lack of internal communication shows a lack of respect for remaining employees, who are affected by the loss of colleagues…often because they have to pick up the pieces and take on even more responsibility.
7. Implementing a “Coffee (or lunch or breakfast or chat) with [name executive]” presented to employees as an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas with the CEO or President or CMO of the company and to allow the Executive to chat more informally with employees…only to have the “chat” filled with pre-selected, softball questions from the corporate communications person or a “plant.” The Executive stays on script (this often sounds like a press release or trade pub interview) talking about how well the company is doing, she’ll be implementing exciting plans in the months ahead, there are no plans for personnel changes, I’m so excited to be here…then opening the floor for questions, but she/he has only a few minutes left.
8. Employees understand cost cutting during an economic downturn and are happy to have a job, but when an employer begins to strip away little perks one by one, they’re setting the stage for a less motivated workforce. Usually the first to go is the holiday parties, followed by the company picnic, then travel to conferences, and finally training classes and seminars. The part that’s hard for employees to swallow, though, is when the company is still enormously profitable but they are implementing employee potluck luncheons or cookie exchanges or blood drives in lieu of a year-end or thank you celebration – or a simple thank you for your hard work. Workers everywhere love blood drives, buying gifts for needy families, donating toiletries to the troops, mentoring underprivileged children, donating prom dresses, volunteering at food banks…but employers should call it what it is – employees doing good things for others not the company holiday celebration. When people are working long hours, taking on additional responsibilities (often after co-workers have been laid off), doing more with less, and forgoing raises they deserve a “thank you, well done” from the company whose stock price is rising. 

I could go on…but I’ll re-visit the topic at another time.

What senseless or bizarre management practices or philosophies have you experienced? 

Snow, Smiles, Snowdrifts, Sunday Sunshine

We've all been abuzz this week about the tremendous snowstorm that hit our area Friday night and Saturday dumping over two feet of snow, stranding vehicles and leaving many without power.

However, the beauty of the snow and the cold, crisp air is undeniable, particularly if one doesn't have to actually go anywhere...which we didn't. We spent the weekend watching weather updates, monitoring the snow accumulation, and shoveling, shoveling, shoveling. The best thing Sunday? The beautiful sunshine and clear, blue skies which made us want to explore and enjoy the beauty of the neighborhood.

Kate's disappointment? Starbucks in our neighborhood was still closed. My pleasant surprise? Our newspaper carrier managed to deliver our Washington Post every day of the storm.

Greetings from snowy Maryland...

 

 

 

  

 

Happy anniversary

Today is officially one year since I was laid off from the job I loved at a company I much admired. But management changes, a new mission is implemented, and the old guard is ushered out to make way for new sycophants. That's the way of the world and I understand that.

At the time I was laid off, 4 of my closest colleagues and department managers were laid off as well. We were (despite disagreements, occasional turf wars, and department managerial changes) and have continued to be, a tight team. We had each other and could commiserate and boost each other's spirits, whine (and wine), and miss those we left behind.

However, in many ways, I also look at February 6 as the beginning of a new life. 

It's been the opportunity to re-evaluate what I enjoy doing and the type of job I want to throw myself into again. When we're working, it's easy to just keep going down a path and to not take the time to analyze what we would rather be doing.

I have had the time to spend with friends and family. Believe me, when you lose a job and your "work family," being able to have long lunches, visit museums, talk on the phone, or see the occasional movie (during the day) with dear friends reaffirms what is important in life.

I have been able to get outside to walk just about every day. To see the sunshine, feel the fresh air, watch the changing flora and fauna, and relax...this is my idea of heaven. 

I have new appreciation for heating healthfully. I spend the time cooking better meals, using fresh, quality ingredients, and knowing what is in the food we're eating. When working and getting home late, it was often easier and more relaxing to go out for dinner.... it’s not my first choice any more and, in fact, prefer to eat at home.

Scratch the travel itch: with a long list of places I want to visit, I have spent this time off to visit new places: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Poland, Estonia, and Finland, as well as to visit friends and family in the U.S. and to make local day trips and adventures. Exploration and learning keep the spirit alive!

Polish skills and stay in touch with my profession. I have been exploring the effective uses of social media, launched my blog and Twitter.

And most importantly, I had the time to be with my mother during the last days of her life.
 

I am blessed.

Toyota...you disappoint me so

Who is giving Toyota Motor Company such horrible advice in dealing with this major public relations and revenue-reducing catastrophe?


After seeing Toyota's first major print ad this past Sunday acknowledging problems with some Toyota models, then wave 2 of the campaign on Monday -- an ad with a serious letter (of apology?) from the President of Toyota U.S.A., I thought they were WAY off base. A temporary pause? To put customers first? Please, that really demeans the intelligence of Toyota customers everywhere. The first rule of handling a crisis such as this is to accept responsibility and to sincerely apologize...not to be glib (as the first ad was).

Sunday, January 31 ad in major newspapers

Monday, February 1 ad

Americans are usually willing to accept coverups, hidden facts, and less-than-forthcoming executives, IF they are willing to own up to their mistakes. Now, since millions of us (including myself) drive Toyotas and, for the most part, probably bought them for the combination of quality, price, reliability, and features offered, we are left wondering if we should drive our cars and if we mis-judged the Toyota reputation.

Each day this week, we have learned something new....a new problem, a different model. From possible electronic concerns in some models to newly-admitted brake problems in the Prius and in some Lexus models.

According to the KelleyBlueBook.com, more than 20% of automobile shoppers who were considering Toyota when car shopping have now eliminated it from consideration.

In Toyota's favor, they have finally updated their corporate website with easy to find information and the latest on the recall. I also received an informative email from my dealership this week advising they would be contacting customers to fix the accelerator problem as soon as their technicians had received the proper training. I had previously received an email from Toyota advising what to do in case my accelerator stuck (thanks for the emergency training).

Toyota executives should be out there assuring customers:

• that they will do everything possible to find the underlying problems in all Toyota models,
• that they will quickly, and at no charge to customers, make all necessary safety repairs
• that they will make every effort to eliminate possible design flaws, communicate immediately to the public on possible safety concerns, and to implement the necessary procedures to insure this never happens again.

They blew it this time. Customers will likely give them a second chance but it's up to Toyota to win people back.

Would you still purchase a Toyota? Do you believe their crisis advertising/communication have been effective?

Tim Tebow ad during Super Bowl – why all the controversy

The ad trade publications have been abuzz the past few weeks with news about the Tim Tebow (superstar University of Florida football player AND Heisman Trophy winner) pro-life ad scheduled to run during the Super Bowl extravaganza this Sunday. As almost everyone in the U.S. knows, the Super Bowl is perhaps the biggest (and most expensive) ad exposure event each year. People gather to watch the game, but advertising and creative people gather to watch the advertising. This has been been happening since 1984 with the launch of the first Apple television spot during the Super Bowl.

Tim Tebow and his mother are featured in an ad sponsored by the pro-life group Focus on the Family. According to Nielsen, this ad is garnering more pre-event “buzz” than any other Super Bowl advertiser. In fact, we're not hearing much else early speculation or previews about the other creative commercials that are scheduled (other than the banned gay dating site ManCrunch spot).

Yesterday, I received an email from Emily’s List encouraging people to sign a petition to CBS banning the commercial.

While I may not agree with Tim and his mother’s views on abortion or on the beliefs and mission of Focus on the Family, I do agree that they have a right to be heard. Clearly, banning the commercial from the Super Bowl because it’s an issues ad borders on censorship…something I am opposed to. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this very sensitive, and often all too-political subject. Mrs. Tebow has a right to believe the way she does and her child Tim is living proof that she made the made the right decision for her.

I don’t agree with the philosophies that Focus on the Family espouses, but I DO agree with their right to spend money to buy the time to air their views. We cannot get into the habit of censoring views we don’t like in this country…goodness knows we are already horribly intolerant of people unlike ourselves with views different from our own. It’s time we engage in civil discourse in this country.

Social Issues Lead Super Bowl Advertising Online Buzz | Nielsen Wire