| What season is this?! My calendar says Autumn slipping into Winter, but the weather is confusing. Before the month disappears completely, here are some things to do before the end of October:
1. Stock up on E numbers for the trick or treaters – alternatively hand over fresh fruit (and prepare to have your tyres slashed…)
2. Do the spring cleaning that’s STILL on your To Do list from April.
3. Make plans to grow your business… you could do worse than take advantage of Helen McClagish’s FREE marketing teleclass happening on 16 November. Contact Helen for more details at her Purple Coach website.
This recent article tickled me – since the world has gone slightly hysterical about either Hallowe’en, bird flu or the omnipresent countdown to Christmas shopping list in nearly EVERY magazine I read, our Autumn newsletter has a light and fluffy element. Enjoy.
After our sad story last week about the draconian moustache ban at Alukkas Jewellery in the United Arab Emirates, we were cheered up no end to see the Lemon Tree Hotel in Guragon, India, catering for the more hirsute worker. Those who make the grade of executive there are allowed the privilege of growing a pony tail, and proudly displaying it at work, with a special yellow ribbon. This frankly bizarre perk seems to be popular with staff. 'It is very inspirational in the company' said Corporate General Manager Rahul Pandit (who presumably has one down to his knees) 'When people say they want to get promoted, they are not saying 'Hey, I want the next grade', it’s 'Hey, when can I actually keep a ponytail?'. However managers who don't make their performance targets get the chop - only the top dogs are allowed the top knot.
Women – know your place
Wonder what Mr Chomondley-Warner would have to say about the changing role of women in business.
• A quarter of the UK’s 3.2 million self-employed workers are now women – Labour Force Survey 2003
• 30 per cent of business owners are women – Labour Force Survey 2003
• Female entrepreneurs now account for 6.8 per cent of the UK’s working population, double the figure than in 1979 - Labour Force Survey 2003
• Almost five per cent of the female population expects to start a business in the next three years – Global Entrepreneur Monitor 2003
• The highest number of female startups are based in London, where 8.4 per cent of the female workforce are self-employed - Labour Force Survey 2003
• 54 per cent of women start a business so they can choose what hours they work, compared with only 35 per cent of men – Bank of Scotland survey 2002/
Speaking of female entrepreneurs, we’re profiling Tina Woollard, an active member of Freelancers In The UK who’s had a busy year building the TMWSGroup of Innovation & Enterprise which comprises:
TMWSecretarial Services: BS EN ISO 9001:2000 certified in the provision of general, special & virtual secretarial office services. Specialist sundry services catered for. We NEVER turn work away. Teamed with a network of dedicated and professional VAs.
Tesla Typing! The World's 1st online copy typing and digital audio transcription website of its kind. Recently both NOMINATED and SELECTED to compete for the world famous prestigious DTI / InterForum E-Commerce Awards 2005. Since release onto the worldwideweb April 2005, we have had in excess of 50,000 visitors to our site with just under 8,000 registered users. Website itself open to individual users and NOW corporate clients ie recruitment agencies, consultancies and HR Departments of any size company.
VA-Directory.Com. A brand new innovative and cost effective way to add your virtual assistant sole trader, partnership, or fully fledged limited company to our Virtual Assistant Directory. SECRETARIAL / ADMINISTRATIVE / CLERICAL / PA VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS ALL WELCOMED - LIFE LONG MEMBERSHIP! Prospective employers of any VA's services can also contact us via the website to locate their ideal VA or complete an online form for us to find one for them!
Good luck with all your ventures, Tina!
Picture this…
A Day in the Life of a Freelance Photographer
by Nick Jenkins.
Sunday night - remember to set the alarm for 'Ungodly' tomorrow morning. Why? Those nice people at Cadw (Welsh Heritage) want a panoramic shot of Chepstow Castle and the only really good light to fall on the main frontage of this great stone edifice (pre-supposing a clear day) is? That's right; Ungodly.
Monday afternoon - well, here I am at the 14th green of the Wales National Golf Course waiting for some good golf action to photograph for publicity for the owner. I nearly crashed the buggy to get here but am now all set up and ready. Two ladies refuse to join in the fun, but the next group are not only up for it, they want to take some of the shots too.
A job with plenty of the great outdoors, fascinating people, superb locations (all with free access) and all the variety a boy can take on board. Sounds good? Too good? That's right, it is. There are days when photography HAS to take priority over the more mundane drudge of office admin and, yes, these are the good days. To be fair there are plenty of them. But there are the grey days when rain is unremitting and the camera stays right there in its rucksack. These are the image cataloguing and scanning days; the days when the glam front end of the job has to be completed at the back end to keep that client happy. And, yes, it can be very lonely being a freelance. Only you to decide between right and wrong, good and bad. But hey, YOU are in control here, not office managers or company policy makers.
No two days are the same in the life of a freelance outdoor photographer - the mix of the fascinating and the 'not so fascinating'. But one thing is certain. The job is challenging and incredibly rewarding. Nothing beats the positive feedback of a happy client or customer - whether it be from a large corporate photo assignment,selling one of my greetings cards to Mrs Smith, or watching a pupil's expression as they suddenly realise that they have finally overcome their fear of the camera they hold.
Photography? I love it!
To learn more about Nick Jenkins' photography business you could do worse than browse through his Free Spirit Images website.
Website news
We’re delighted to announce that our one of our advertisers, ContractorUmbrella has made it to the finals of the Colchester district Business Awards 2005. Good luck on 25 November, guys.
Finally – for all those members who have either upgraded their entry or joined since August, we have a very special deal after cementing an exclusive relationship with the Spiral Group. Every full member can benefit from external bulk purchasing power to take advantage of offers on landlines, print, stationery and insurance: details to be emailed shortly.
And if you still haven’t joined or upgraded…..why not?
Freelancers In The UK has had its busiest ever month, and we have ambitious plans for the next quarter including an aggressive UK wide advertising campaign.
With over 100,000 hits and prime positions with the major search engines, it’s time to boost your listing, add your own image, logo and content to your entry, post up your direct/preferred email address and enjoy access to special offers from advertisers For only £49, you’ll enjoy:
1. Prominent web presence – your page can be a personal mini website with unlimited characters including the ability to post up graphics, your logo, examples of your previous work and clients’ feedback! Plus your preferred direct email address and telephone number.
2. Active marketing of your page using the latest and most effective SEO techniques.
3. Rotational “Focus on Freelancers” feature - photos optional! – where your profile will be posted on the front page of the website starting just before Christmas.
4. Regular updates via our seasonal newsletters.
5. Access to our soon to be password-protected jobs and projects board.
6. Prestigious membership logo for your own website, stationery, etc “Approved member of Freelancers In The UK”
Just email Kate for details.
Wishing you all a very happy slide down the seasonal helter skelter…
Thanks for your continued interest and support.
|
