Competition-itis~!

Continuing on from a previous post that I wrote about Competition for the sake of competition..

I think  I may have actually identified or named a new condition or a condition that ought to be included in the already inexhaustible list of mental disorders that are currently listed in the medical professionals terminologies for conditions.

"Competitionitis" Is the name or phrase that I have comically conceived to enable me to humourously deal with this issue of not being able to avoid persons who want to compete for everything and almost anything it seems.

Also the common phenomenon that I have noticed of persons who don't want to have any competition at all. Especially in the area of business, this seems so ridiculous to me, especially as an experienced sales executive who thrives on competitive behaviours as a motivation in the workplace. With any understanding of the business development arena, there is little growth in any industry without competition and other motivators

Still there are some close cousins of the state of "Competitionitis" namely, "Moreitis", "Wantitis" and the "Wantons", who never stop wanting more and more...

Some of them may not even know what they truly want, they only want to know they can get to know what you want and take that!

Authorities Response?!

 Question?

Are Authorities irresponsible towards citizens?…

In general, I have observed in my own experience that too often Police and other authority agencies are unaware it seems of the counterproductive effects of their investigations on third parties who maybe related or even "remotely connected" to the subject of their investigations.

To clarify "remotely connected" could indicate that a person lives in the same property, or nearby, neighbors perhaps or living in the same community or area. They perhaps work or worked in the same company, or location or maybe they attended the same school or college, could be even many years ago…

The trouble is with investigations, especially when involving "conflicted" families and volatile counteries. These investigations can go on for many years.

Sustainable solutions can be difficult to achieve with many conflicting persons and agendas. The counterproductive effects on other persons related to the person or persons being investigated can be severe and actually devastating to the extreme of causing irreparable damages.

The difficulty is that most times no one actually wants to talk about the issues due to confidentiality. It would be naive to expect the authorities to compromise their own agendas when their purpose is to complete an investigation. 

Still there does need to be some agency in the process of governance that is responsible for coordinating with investigators to ensure that the process is not causing health, safety and security issues for those related, third parties and other citizens in general.

It is not unknown or unheard of for Police especially when investigating for a lengthy timeframe to employ unauthordox and even dangerous methods in order to secure a conviction. Most times their concerns are for their own expenses and not the overall cost of their efforts! 

And persons who themselves are under investigation are often so stressed that they only want to alleviate themselves of the problem. And they can be expected to be dangerous and even volatile causing other persons lives to be put at risk in their effort to escape penalty. 

Jobsearch Issues PT3

Often times there maybe more than one interview scheduled, before a final decision is made. So it's necessary to attend more than one at your own expense, in order to prove yourself worthy of a chance.

Remembering that there is also a probationary period as a standard protocol to give the Company another 3-6 months to evaluate the incumbent…

In most countries Employment Law gives the Company the absolute right to terminate employment within the probationary period without a reason or explanation. So there really is very little consideration given to the cost, or risk involved in seeking out new employment opportunities.

Perhaps this is fostering stagnation in companies and workplaces as persons prefer not to even try to look elsewhere for work as it's too risky!

Employers again can capitalise on this by maintaining their upper hand position. Cognisant that they provide a certain level of security, financial stability, benefits for their employees, substantiating a dynamic that requires the employee to always need them more, at all times. Fearing the possibility of losing their income and the overall benefits of being employed. 

Even more prevalent and intensified in times of crisis, shortages and recession such as in this Covid-19 pandemic. When companies are cutting back and recession equals, many staff made redundant, persons really have to be happy if they manage to maintain their employment.

I remember when interviews were more personal and less about performing. Nowadays many interviews take place in group situations. Candidates are expected to take part in any activity that is planned by the Company recruiters, including role-plays and presentations. As if the Jobseeker is an Actor at an Audition or even a Business Entrepreneur pitching a business idea to a potential Investor or Partner. 

In addition there are diagnostics tests and aptitude tests some of which must be completed at your own expense even before getting shortlisted for an interview. Then again there are more of the same type of tests at the initial interview, perhaps to ensure that this is the same candidate or same caliber at least, that applied online. 

There really is a lot required and the expectation to perform is very pressuring on potentially GREAT people!

 

Jobsearch Issues PT2: Looking for work?

After 25 years of working and all that is involved in being an "employee". I'm analysing how little has evolved and how little the salaries have increased in relation to inflation and the cost of living - globally!

As well as how much is required for a "Jobseeker", for persons looking for a job or a change of career. Or worse even, who are unemployed and seeking employment to escape the "rut" of poverty.

The cost of getting online to complete job applications, which in most places in the world, nowadays is a standard procedure. If we assume the person is unemployed and does not have access to WIFI at home or a computer. If they do not have an active, positive, support network. Can't find friends, ex-colleagues or associates who would be willing to assist them with their Job search. By giving them time online - how will they be able to complete their job applications without the facilities?

To make applications the traditional way, the cost would be even more. Time on a computer to type an application letter, maybe edit the resume accordingly and then print three sheets of paper, will cost approximately $2-300 per application. That's not including the cost of an envelope, which is minimal and then postage or the cost of delivery.

After all of this effort, it's very disappointing and disturbing even, to never receive any acknowledgement or confirmation. That this application was received by the correct person, reviewed, processed, read or even considered.

If the application is successful and an interview is scheduled for the screening or selection process to continue. There is the cost of travelling to an interview, as well as being properly prepared and attired. In most cases grooming and appearance is part of the overall score or rating that a Company will affix to a potential candidate.

For most employers Professional Business attire is the expected standard. And as they say "first impressions count!" As such the appearance of the applicant will be assessed along with their work history and other capabilities. In order to decide if this person is a good potential candidate for the vacant position.

The cost of maintaining good personal grooming, hair grooming, teeth, skin and nails as well as a good pair of shoes and business attire is another cost to consider.

So how much must a person spend in order to find a job? And how many employers really consider and appreciate the effort that it takes to seek out their employment?

JOBSEARCH issues!

One of the most apt quotes that I really like, by American entrepreneur Jim Rohn who says, “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”

During the course of my work life or "career", I have been employed, self-employed and also unemployed...

Having over 25 years of experience, working in various roles, I can say that I have experienced the working world. I have even been trained in modern/progressive HR practices by a big name SW company specializing in HR SW solutions. Although my role was Sales, our Manager Mr Austin, Trainer Ms Allen and the team at Head Office made certain that we understood HR practices enough so that we could "talk shop" comfortably with our clients. And to relate to our potential clients, who were our "target" market, the people we were selling to. 

"Compensation" was the "buzz" word in these training sessions, as I learned, this is the term most HR Executives in the US, used to refer to the "pay package" or Salary.  This term was quite familiar, but "new" to me in this context. Being that I first started working in the traditional HR format, in the UK as a Personnel Assistant. As it was explained to us then in our training sessions, "Personnel" only refers to Staff as a commodity or asset that the Company is responsible for maintaining such as their equipment. Human Resources is a more holistic, even perhaps "Humanitarian" approach to People Management. 

Compensation as it refers to pay in this area is a package that offers Staff not only a Salary, but also benefits, such as Health insurance, Life Insurance, Discounts, Special services and other perks, depending on the Company's ethos and area of Business, Affiliations etc. 

Please contact Ms. MAE at MAE Creative Consulting if you would like further details about our services and a 5 minute FREE introductory Consultation. 

Email: MsAMediaE@gmail.com

Imitation Lifestyle?!

In the midst of Black History Month and here in Jamaica in Reggae Month, there has been a lot of interesting, Cultural programming on the television. Which has provided a lot of fresh insights, and also a chance to recall performances and events from the past. And to really think about our Music, Arts and Entertainment in a general sense.  

It has come to light that even many years ago before the Digital age and all of the extra concerns for security that are now apart of our psyche and consciousness. That there are a lot of issues that have affected persons who work in the Media, Arts and Entertainment sector, particularly Music Professionals. This has lead their families to live with very difficult circumstances and having to take extreme measures to protect themselves and their children.

As it is known a lot of Musicians especially those who travel frequently and broadly also have children in other places, within other families even...

Often times in order to keep these "children safe" they have to hide them and not expose them or their whereabouts to the public. Because of course as many fans as they have they also have a lot of "haters" or persons who dont support them at all. 

I have discovered that one of the many "novel" ways that they attempt to protect their own families is by having other persons who are not their children in their place. So that they can protect the identities, and location and other sensitive details from members of the public. Using a "double" or a person to imitate that child is not unusual. Which is a totally new phenomenon to me who only thought of impersonators" in relation to Famous persons who have impersonators perform for them, or for Comedy or Promotional or other specific reasons. Such as the Michael Jackson phenomenon which brought about many other impersonators who would appear at a event, if that promoter wanted them or possibly couldn't book or afford even to book the REAL artiste themselves.

There are many instances and cases of this that I can provide an example of, but of course in the interests of my own safety. I will leave this to your imagination, to consider; unless of course you want to contact me for a PRIVATE consultation or advice session.

PLS direct all serious enquiries to msamediae@gmail.com

All constructive FEEDback is appreciated

Ms MAE

Desperately seeking Affordable Accomodation

In the past 15 years or more of living and working in Jamaica I have found the single most difficult area has been finding suitable, affordable living spaces. Secure, accomodation especially for single persons is really hard to find.

Finding people who are honest and decent to share living spaces with is also very difficult. As you know wah we Seh in Jamaica - "See me an come live wid me a two different ting!"

I remember 10 years or so ago when I first came to Montego Bay for work.

I couldn't find anywhere to rent at all. The Western Mirror would be published on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Making calls at lunchtime to secure a place gave me limited time to relax. Then after working until 6pm most of the places advertised that were reasonable would be already gone.

I had a lot of bad experiences I even almost lost my job by taking too much time off to look for an apartment. If I tried to go out at lunchtime it was impossible to reach back on time.

Also when you do find a place its very hard to find a Landlord that adheres to and understands fully their duties according to the Law under the Landlord & Tenant Act. 

The Rent Assessment Board provides very limited support especially to tenants outside of Kingston in rural Jamaica. You can call them for advice on the telephone. The team has been very helpful on a number of occasions when I needed advice. 

Still I think more support needs to be provided in this essential area of government.