Advice Category

Here’s a starter for 10 –

‘Two hands are a lot – we’re hiring data scientists, project managers, policy experts, assorted weirdos…’

Dominic Cummings is making a statement not only about the staff he wants but he’s telling us that he is not looking for a ‘type’. He goes on to say that SW1 needs, ‘True wild cards, artists, people who never went to university and fought their way out of an appalling hell hole..’

Of course his blog is not just about Dominic Cummings and 10 Downing Street, but it’s about attracting a different ‘type’- people out of the ordinary who would rarely look at working in government because they do not fit the profile of a Downing Street civil servant or researcher.

Of course, it’s bold copy, but then, when attracting talent, are we too conservative (small c!)? Let’s remind ourselves what David Ogilvy, the bard of advertising, tells us when writing advertisements:

• When I write an advertisement, I don’t want you to tell me that you find it creative, I want you to find it so interesting that you want to buy the product.
• On average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy. When you have written your headline, you have spent eighty cents out of your dollar.
• The more informative your advertising, the more persuasive it will be.

So, maybe 2020 should be the year to sharpen your ad copy!

Here’s Dominic Cummings blog: https://dominiccummings.com/2020/01/02/two-hands-are-a-lot-were-hiring-data-scientists-project-managers-policy-experts-assorted-weirdos/

So, what’s keeping you?

 

Have you started planning for next year?”, asks Hugh Joslin, Chairman at Media Contacts.

If so, how about putting the some new year’s resolutions into the mix…
Set yourself goals — ensure these are realistic so they relate to your skills and financial aspirations

• Use training to your advantage — this might seem obvious, but many of us see training as something else to do rather than a process that you can gain from. Tip – write notes on how you can incorporate this training into your job as soon as you’ve completed the course.
• Take up a hobby — as well as being fun, hobbies can open your mind and present yourself with new challenges. These in turn can act as a refresher to your attitude in the workplace.
• Take responsibility — use your skills as a friend. Before asking advice, ask yourself how your manager or senior colleague would answer the question – you will be surprised how often you’ll be able to solve the problem yourself.
• Communicate! – We often use electronic communication as a crutch rather than as a way to develop a commercial relationship. Networking and socialising will open doors – make a plan based around who you know and who you want to know.
• Be bold — Success will not come to you – you need to go to meet it. Be inquisitive, challenge yourself – this means going outside your comfort zone.

Good Luck for 2020!

Blue Monday falls on the third Monday of January each year, which means it’s only around the corner. Depression and feelings of low motivation after the festive season really kick in when the fun of Christmas is over. The weather is bleak, and the ‘new year new me’ feeling has worn off. We’ve put together some tips to help prevent Blue Monday and give your mental health a boost …

• Physical activity – exercise may be the last thing you want to do in the cold winter months; however, it is a great way of increasing your energy levels and raising your mood. Research has shown that outdoor activities such as jogging, and cycling have the same effect in curing depression as anti-depressants. January is also the best time to start exercising as many gyms have discounts and special offers on.
• Set realistic new year’s resolutions – better to make one small change you can keep to than 10 you fail at.
• Focus on your work – throw yourself into your work to make your days more productive and worthwhile. Take on more projects, go on development training courses, get to know your colleagues better. If you’re working in sales or client services, check up on your clients and build on your relationships. If you’re looking for a job, enhance your search by looking on alternative websites and making changes to your CV – ask a friendly recruiter for tips.
• Try something new – go on, we dare you!
• Socialise – if you are doing dry January, for example, its all to easy to go to ground, so make sure you still spend time with your mates.
• Be different – you are in control here. You can either choose to believe blue Monday will be grim, in which case that may well be what you get, or you can believe it will be a nice day, in which case you’re more likely to notice the good bits
• Day off – if all else fails, book this Monday as a day’s holiday and make a long weekend of it!